Live Betting at Massachusetts Sportsbooks 2023
Live betting is quickly replacing traditional pregame betting as the most common form of sports wagering. Betting on live games, in fact, will drive up to 70% of the betting at sportsbooks in the US by 2023, according to a recent report.
Also known as in-game betting, it allows you to bet on lines that shift and update as a game plays out. Also known as in-play betting, live betting odds include everything from whether the next pitch will be a ball or strike, to whether the next field goal attempt will be a make or a miss, to whether a team will come back to win a game it’s trailing.
Here’s how to optimize your live and micro-betting in Massachusetts.
MA sportsbook apps offering live betting
Here are some of the top online sportsbooks in Massachusetts, along with their live betting options.
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel Sportsbook brings a true live betting hub with it to Massachusetts. This sportsbook consistently has some of the most live betting options available, and the markets are easy to find.
The live games you can bet on are front and center on the online sportsbook and app and there’s a ‘popular’ bets tab that’ll quickly get you to the live odds most want.
You can bet live on Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins games, alongside pretty much everything else considered a sport here in New England and beyond. Different sports mean different live betting options, but the basic live betting options for major sports at FanDuel include:
- Game Lines
- Player Stat Props
- Player Combos
- Half/Quarter/Period winner
- Total Parlays
- Team Props
- Win Margin
- Alternative Spreads
- Alternate Total Points
- Win Margin
- Winning Margin (Bands)
- Moneyline / Total Parlay
- Line / Total Parlay
- Overtime?
Full Review: FanDuel Sportsbook MA
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings offers many similar in-game bets, including adjusted odds, game lines, and second-half lines. The DraftKings Massachusetts app stands out with the most versatile array of player prop bets. Here are some of the live wagers you can place:
- Player props for nearly every statistical category
- Player props for obscure players
- Scoring bands for players within a given quarter (player X to score between four and six points in the third quarter)
- Race to X points
- Scoring method for next points
The “Flash Props” tab makes all live bets easy to navigate and construct.
Full Review: DraftKings Sportsbook MA
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM doesn’t have the most live betting options but there are be enough to keep you busy while you watch most games.
This includes adjusted Patriots lines, Celtics lines, Red Sox lines, and more. Basic live betting options for football, basketball, baseball and hockey at BetMGM include:
- Full Game Spread, Total, Moneyline
- Half Spread, Total, Moneyline
- Halves/Quarters/Periods/Innings
- Final Score/Halftime Odd/Even
- Both Teams to Score
- 1st Team to Score
- Team Totals
- Correct Score
- First Five Minutes/Innings
- Player Props
- Game Props
- Scoring Props/Highest Scoring Period/Quarter/Inning
One noticeable aspect of live betting on BetMGM is that while it offers plenty of game props, it does not have nearly as extensive a selection of player props as FanDuel or DraftKings.
Still, BetMGM’s live odds are competitive. It also runs various promos specifically for live betting. In February 2023, for example, BetMGM gave away $10 in Bonus Bets to anyone who bets at least $100 on live odds.
Full Review: BetMGM Sportsbook MA
WynnBET Sportsbook
WynnBET promises to make live betting available on select games in Massachusetts. The live betting markets are available in the “Live” section of the online sportsbook and betting app.
This includes live odds for every Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins game if WynnBET hopes to compete in this space in Massachusetts.
Together with its retail sportsbook partner at Encore Boston Harbor, WynnBET uses live betting to create an engaging game-watching experience for New England sports fans. Live betting markets available on WynnBET MA include:
- Adjusted Game Lines (Moneyline, Spread, Totals)
- Player/Team/Game Props
- Half/Quarters/Periods
WynnBET also offers competitive live odds. In other states, it has run a Live Bet & Get $10 Bonus Bet promo that offers up a $10 Bonus Bet when you place two $50 or more live bets on any sport on Saturdays and Sundays.
Full Review: WynnBET Sportsbook MA
Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics will likely offer live sports betting on a wide range of sports including NBA, NCAAB, NFL, NCAAF, MLB, NASCAR, golf, soccer, and more.
Live in-play betting should be a real focus for Fanatics, as it’s the fastest-growing sports betting market in the US.
Fanatics will continually create more in-play markets to engage the live betting public. The following list of standard live betting markets will likely be available on Fanatics in Massachusetts for the sports listed above:
- Game Lines
- Player Props
- Half/Quarters/Periods
- Live Parlays
- Team Props
- Game Props
- Alternative Lines
- Winning Margin
Fanatics will surely keep its live odds competitive and runs promos surrounding live in-play betting, including bonus bets.
Full Review: Fanatics Sportsbook MA
Summary
- FanDuel is great for live parlays, with an extensive combination of game and player props.
- DraftKings has the most player props, with Over/Under lines for more obscure players and stats.
- BetMGM provides a solid variety of game props and win margin predictions but lacks the same array of player prop options.
How do I place live bets?
You need an active and funded account with a sportsbook that offers live betting options to make bets in the middle of a game. You also need a good internet connection and an app that updates quickly.
Live betting lines update when you log into your sportsbook account via an app or website in the middle of a game. There will also be several prop bets (next player to score a touchdown, first team to score 10 points in the second half, etc.).
If you have an account with multiple sportsbooks, it’s good to cross-reference the live lines and prop bets to find the best available odds.
Types of live bets by sport
Most betting options available before the game are also available during the game, although the odds will likely have changed based on what has happened so far.
For instance, if you’re watching a football game and the favorite is behind by 14 points after the first quarter, you may be able to get that team at positive odds to win outright. In addition to increased moneyline odds, the point spreads can change dramatically throughout a game, as can the Over/Under lines.
In addition to betting on overall game outcomes, you can also make bets on second-half lines or the winners of the next quarter/period/inning and Over/Unders. Other prop bets include betting on which team will score next, what type of score will happen next, and which team will reach a specific point total first.
You can also bet on individual player props, including Over/Under bets for the rest of the game.
While some prop bets will set Over/Under lines, some may be as simple as betting on a yes or no result. Examples of these bets might include:
- Travis Kelce to score a touchdown
- Joel Embiid to make a 3-pointer
Here are some of the most common live bets and prop bets by sport:
Football
- Next player to score a touchdown or next team to score
- Next type of score (pass/rush/special teams)
- Quarterback passing yards/TDs for the rest of the game
- Team X to score on the next possession (y/n)
- Player X to score a touchdown (y/n)
Basketball
- Player X points scored rest of game (Over/Under)
- Next player to hit a 3-pointer
- Player X to get a triple-double (y/n)
- Next team to hit a 3-pointer
- Point spread or Over/Under for the next quarter
Baseball
- Team X to score next inning (y/n)
- Next inning run line
- Next inning over/under
- Pitcher X strikeouts (Over/Under)
- Player X to get a hit next time up (y/n)
- Game to go extra innings (y/n)
Hockey
- Next team to score
- Next period puck line or Over/Under
- Player X to score (y/n)
- Goalie saves, rest of game
- Game to go to overtime
Can you live-bet parlays?
Yes, you can make several same-game parlays that combine game and player props, game lines, and Over/Under bets.
However, sportsbooks will not allow you to parlay bets on the same thing. For instance, in a tie game, you cannot parlay “winner of the fourth quarter” with the overall game moneyline because that amounts to juicing the odds on the same bet. Bets have to be distinctly different from one another to make a parlay.
Some books allow you to make in-game parlays across multiple games, while others limit you to just one game.
Where to find live betting options at online sportsbooks
Locating the live betting area on most major sportsbook apps is straightforward. When you go to the page for a particular sport, you’ll see live lines along with lines for upcoming games.
On the main page, you can bet on adjusted lines, moneyline odds, and Over/Under totals. Each game will also have some form of tab with more betting options. If you click on that, it will take you to a series of bets for a particular game, and you can choose from a range of selections.
Depending on the game or the sport, you may need to make your bets quickly, as the action will dictate how odds shift in real-time. It’s best to familiarize yourself with the live sports betting options in your app before the contest starts so that you can start planning out your bets as the action unfolds.
Bets take only a few seconds to make, and your bet is active as soon as you submit your ticket.
Which sports are best for live betting?
Many sports have intriguing live betting options. Here are some of the best:
Football
With slight pauses and stoppages after each play, NFL live betting is an excellent option, offering all kinds of possibilities. There is plenty of time to consider bets on the moneyline, adjusted point spreads, and Over/Unders.
Football has a lot of variance because of large rosters and different types of plays and scores, allowing you to get creative with your bets. Football also offers some fantastic live NFL player props ranging from adjusted Over/Unders on yards gained to touchdown odds.
Basketball
Given the fast pace of play and frequent scoring chances, basketball is a little more challenging to bet on when it comes to game lines and Over/Unders, but you can still get some pretty favorable odds if you act quick.
Betting on player props in basketball can be a particularly appealing option as you may be able to ride a hot shooter or back a team with momentum as it tries to pull out a come-from-behind victory. There are some solid options with NBA live betting.
Tennis
Tennis live betting is another good option as the action is playing out. You can often find more favorable betting odds once a tennis match has started.
For example, you may want to bet on a favorite if that player falls behind by a couple of games or a set early. Tennis betting odds also provide some fun micro betting options on the next game or set, along with win margins, aces, and unforced errors.
Golf
Given the slower pace of this sport, it is easy to place live bets on golf once a round has started. Betting on updated odds after day one or two of a golf tournament may allow you to find some pretty favorable odds. You can also get creative with micro bets on who will win between just two golfers (or a small group), round leaders, or a player’s score on the next hole.
What are the most popular and profitable live bets?
Some of the best live bets can be moneylines, where you can bet on a come-from-behind win or an upset in a tight game. It can also be profitable to ride the hot hand by backing props on a player who is performing well.
You can also use live wagers to middle or hedge your pregame bets.
How to download sportsbook apps for live betting
It is easy to find and install sportsbook apps on your phone and start betting. Generally, if you visit an online sportsbook on a mobile device, you will find a button or link to the appropriate store page to download the sportsbook app for iOS or Android.
Once you download the app, you will have to sign up and register. Before depositing any money, you should always read through the terms and conditions. Then, you can choose a bonus, deposit funds, and access live betting options.
Massachusetts live betting FAQs
What is live betting?
Live betting is when a bettor places in-game wagers with fluctuating odds as a game progresses. In just about any sport, you can put down a wide variety of in-game bets — including moneylines, props, and totals. You need to have a good internet connection, however, as odds can change quickly throughout the course of a game.
When does live betting close?
All live betting ends when the game ends. However, certain lines may close before the very end of the game as the outcome is no longer in question. For instance: If the Celtics lead the Nets by 22 points with 1:32 left to play, moneyline betting may close for live betting. Of course, Over/Under live betting and certain props would still be in play until the final whistle.
How does live betting work in football?
There are various ways to place live bets in football. Some of the most popular include moneyline bets (who will win/lose), point spread bets (margin of victory), Over/Under bets (total points/runs scored), and player or team prop bets. Football is among the best sports for live betting because of the frequent breaks in the action. That will allow even the least experienced bettors some time to plan their next live bet.
How do you win at live betting?
It’s hard to pinpoint just one best way to succeed with live betting, or in-game betting. However, a tried-and-true strategy is to jump on favorable odds if a favorite falls behind early — especially if that favorite is now getting positive odds. For example: If the Red Sox are favored over the Nationals and fall behind 2-0 after the first inning, their pregame -200 odds might lengthen to +100. That could be a smart live bet to make.
What are the risks of live betting?
One challenging aspect of betting on live games is that the odds can change quickly during live events, so you have less time to research or cross-reference a bet before it may change or disappear. This can potentially lend itself to some ill-advised bets. In-game player props can be even more susceptible to injuries or coaching decisions given the shorter time frame.