DollarSignCircleUnfilled
Betting
DollarSignCircleUnfilled
EyePartInnerEyePartCorner
DollarSignCircleUnfilled

Content on this page may include affiliate links. If you click and sign up/place a wager, we may receive compensation at no cost to you.

Massachusetts sees economic boost in first year of online betting

Report touts the boost betting has brought to the job market, among other positive developments.

By Pete Truszkowski & Josh Nagel Aug 6, 2024 at 2:14 pm ET 3 min read
Boston Red Sox players Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (center), second baseman Nick Sogard (left) and shortstop David Hamilton (right) celebrate after beating the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
USATSI

According to a report released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the first year of legalized online sports betting in the state produced significant positive economic impacts. The report notes that since launching in early 2023, sports betting has helped restructure the state’s financial outlook through revenue earnings and employment opportunities. The state also highlighted a commitment to responsible gaming. 

The numbers tell most of the story. In their first year of being allowed to bet legally, more than 1.6 million Massachusetts residents created betting accounts. Since launching its online sector in January  2023, the state has generated nearly $600 million in gaming revenue, which has resulted in $118.5 million in tax receipts for the state.

Read Review
Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Bets
Up To $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Claim bonus Read Review
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. Min. qualifying bet amount: $1. Tokens max. bet amount: $25 per token. Tokens bet max. add’l winnings: $2,500 per token. Token(s) expire 14 days after receipt. Not reissued for voided/pushed bets. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, Washington, D.C. (OLG Class A licensed Operator), KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah’s Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF. Data & text rates may apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER, MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org, NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369).

Massachusetts has been a top 10 market

Currently, Massachusetts residents can bet at three local retail casinos in person. They also have access to six online sports betting apps. The state has granted eight licenses to online operators in total, but WynnBet and Betr ceased operations in February 2024. 

Since coming online in 2023, Massachusetts has the ninth-highest betting handle in the country. The state has accepted more than $8.5 billion in sports bets since its launch and has a betting handle of at least $500 million in 10 straight months. New York leads the nation with a betting handle of $30.2 billion during that time. 

If you want to isolate just 2023, the state accepted $6.2 billion worth of online sports bets. This led to a total sports betting revenue of $594.9 million for the state’s operators.

Super Bowl business was booming

The Super Bowl is the biggest day on the calendar when it comes to sports betting, and that was no different in Massachusetts this past year. 

In total, the state detected 355,000 total bettors using online sports betting apps. Those bettors placed a total of 3.3 million bets, or an average of nearly 10 bets per account. 

Massachusetts sportsbooks earned $9 million in gross revenue from Super Bowl betting and, as a result, the state earned $1.8 million in tax revenue. Not bad for one night of work.

Read Review
Bet $5 Get $150 In Bonus Bets If Your First Bet Wins
+ 3 Free Months Of NBA League Pass
Claim bonus Read Review
21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL IN, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA (excluding certain perishes), MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, or WY. Void where prohibited. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. After 3 months free trial, the full price of League Pass will be automatically charged monthly; cancel anytime. NBA League Pass – local blackout restrictions appply. No refunds. Terms, restrictions, and embargoes apply. Limit 1 pass per customer. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Data & text rates may apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).

Gaming Commission highlights responsible gambling, employment

One major area the Massachusetts Gaming Commission focused on in its report was the usage of responsible gaming tools. There were nearly 90,000 inquiries into using the resources in the state’s first month online. In total, more than 38,000 bettors are using some kind of limitations to manage their play. Nearly 9,000 bettors placed temporary restrictions on their accounts while 57 bettors self-excluded from sports betting. 

The state hopes that bettors continue to utilize these resources in a fashion that makes sports betting fun and enjoyable for their lifestyle. 

The state also commented on the impacts of sports betting on the employment landscape. More than 100 Massachusetts residents joined the sports betting industry workforce in the first year of legalized betting. Nearly 4,500 minorities and 3,300 women are employed in North America as a result of the expanding industry.