You Can’t Use Credit Cards at Massachusetts Sportsbooks. Other Options?

Written By Matthew Bain on February 9, 2023

You can't use credit cards with Massachusetts sports books. What are your other options, from play-ma.com

Gamblers are not allowed to use credit cards to place bets at Massachusetts sportsbooks.

Massachusetts is one of a handful of states that doesn’t allow credit cards for sports wagers, including Iowa, New York, Tennessee, and Connecticut. The rationale is simple: Lawmakers want to prevent residents from racking up debt via sports betting.

But chances are, if you weren’t plugged into the Massachusetts sports betting bill negotiations, you may have had your credit card turned down while trying to place a bet at a MA retail sportsbook after they opened Jan. 31. This no-credit-card rule will also apply to online sportsbook apps when they launch in Massachusetts in March.

Worry not. There are plenty of other ways to place bets at retail sportsbooks and deposit funds in your sports betting apps.

Here are the best other payment and deposit methods allowed for Massachusetts sports betting.

Accepted Deposit Methods at Massachusetts Sportsbooks

Online Banking

Online banking is one of the most popular payment methods for sportsbooks in the US.

It’s pretty simple: Just connect your online banking account, such as Wells Fargo or US Bank, to your sportsbook account. Then, whenever you want to add sports betting funds, you simply transfer them over from your bank. This is also called an EFT, or electronic fund transfer.

The only downside is that some banks charge a fee for this. Be sure to check with your bank and learn its policies before deciding your preferred payment method.

Debit Card

Like online banking, some banks charge a fee for depositing money into a sportsbook with a debit card.

However, the ease of simply plugging in your debit card information to your sportsbook account and then never worrying about it again is appealing. You can also use debit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard, to place in-person wagers at Massachusetts retail sportsbooks.

E-Wallets

Popular e-wallets include PayPal and Skrill.

E-wallets are great because they don’t charge a fee for using them to transfer funds to your sportsbook account. However, you’ll need to connect your debit card in order to fund your e-wallet, and you may be charged a fee for that.

Cash or Check

Cash is as simple as it gets. Walk up to the betting window or kiosk. Pay your money. Place your bet. Easy.

It’s the same with checks. Retail sportsbooks in Massachusetts will allow you to deposit money into your account with checks, including cashier’s checks. You can also mail checks to fund your online sportsbook account, but that process can take 7-10 days.

Rather, you should use e-checks when it comes to online accounts. Specifically, use VIP Preferred ACH/e-checks.

Wire Transfer

Wire transfers are best for large sums of money. But it is immediate, just like online banking.

PayNearMe

PayNearMe is a one-stop shop for multiple different deposit methods used by several premier sportsbook companies, including FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook.

In a nutshell, using the PayNearMe app allows gamblers to pay using a debit card or banking account without needing to share their card number or banking account details with the sportsbook.

Prepaid Play+ Card

Play+ cards are becoming more and more popular because you can use them entirely for sports betting. You can reload it however often and however much you want via your debit card or online banking account. It’s fast and secure, you can use it online or in-person, and it’s great for withdrawing winnings too.

LAUNCH DATE: It Sounds Like MA Online Sports Betting Will Launch on March 10

Bonus Bets

Bonus bets, promotional bets, bet credits, or whatever the sportsbook calls them are a great way to wager with less skin in the game. Bettors will often get these credits as part of a welcome bonus, but they’re also handed out via ongoing promotions.

Important to note: Promos for retail sportsbooks and online sportsbooks are separate. Don’t try to use one at the other.

Also important to note: Your original stake is lost with a bonus bet. If you win a bonus bet of $10 with +100 odds, you will only get the $10 payout. A regular winning bet of $10 with +100 odds would yield a $20 payout — the $10 stake plus the $10 winnings.

WHOOPS! Two MA Casino Sportsbooks Accept Illegal Bets on In-State College Basketball Teams

Written by

Matthew Bain

Matthew Bain started as Content Manager at Play MA in 2022. Before that, he spent six years as a sports reporter and then deputy sports editor for the Des Moines Register, during which time he won nine statewide journalism awards, including the Genevieve Mauck Stoufer Outstanding Young Iowa Journalists Award. As deputy sports editor, Matthew oversaw the Register’s recruiting coverage while also innovating the outlet’s high school sports coverage. Matthew graduated from San Diego State and grew up in California, but he’s somehow a Boston Celtics fan. Long story. Matthew also led coverage of Prop 26 vs. Prop 27 in the California sports betting election battle for Catena Media.

View all posts by Matthew Bain

You Can’t Use Credit Cards at Massachusetts Sportsbooks. Other Options?