College Wagering Rules Challenge Massachusetts Operators

Mobile sports betting launches in Massachusetts this week, with seven platforms expected to start taking bets at 10 a.m. Friday.

The mobile sportsbooks will enable state residents to wager legally on the Boston Celtics, Bruins, Red Sox, New England Patriots, and more from their phones or computers. Just in time for March Madness, digital betting will be available through Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Betr, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, and WynnBET.

While Massachusetts isn't exactly known for elite-level college basketball, a unique regulation makes postseason tournaments one of the few times each year Massachusetts customers can wager on in-state college teams. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission prohibits wagering on in-state college teams during the regular season, but it’s allowed when a program is playing in a tournament with four or more teams.'

That means wagering on in-state teams during conference tournaments and the NCAA Tournament is allowed. Fans can bet on Boston College’s basketball team if it’s alive in the ACC tournament or UMass Lowell when it plays Saturday morning for the America East championship.

While Merrimack won the NEC, it isn’t eligible for the NCAA Tournament' — or any other postseason tournament — due to the NCAA's transition rules, which means bets can’t be placed on Merrimack in Massachusetts until next year’s postseason. The same is true for UMass and other men's basketball programs that are done for the season after disappointing years.'