Online Casino For Massachusetts Residents
- Massachusetts Casino Closing
- Casinos In Massachusetts State
- Online Casino For Massachusetts Residents List
- Online Casino For Massachusetts Residents
Online casinos are not legal in Massachusetts yet, however, the laws behind it are a little more complex than other states. While casinos could face punishment for trying to operate online, the state is more. In addition to the imminent construction of a full-scale casino resort, Massachusetts residents can purchase real cash lottery tickets from one of hundreds of authorized sellers, or participate in various.
Massachusetts’ approximately 6.65 million inhabitants are among the most prideful citizens of any state in the nation, but when it comes to real money poker and legal gambling MA citizens haven’t got the widest range of betting options.
Home to the Boston Red Sox, the world-renowned educational institution Harvard University and the gorgeous Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts is an epicenter of culture, life and all things American, but definitely not a legit lawful poker or gambling establishment. Yet the one staple of modern American culture that is decidedly absent from The Bay State is the presence of a casino or real cash poker gambling room.
The betting and real money poker scene is about to change though. Over the course of the past two years, Massachusetts has loosened its stance on betting and gambling, so much so, that the prospect of online gambling and Internet poker coming to MA has become a real possibility. That’s great news for the real cash poker betting fans who’ve been stuck with very few legit gambling options up until now.
And although MA state gambling officials will likely finalize the state’s land-based casino and real money poker room plans before further entertaining the idea of regulated real cash Internet poker iGaming betting, Massachusetts stands a better chance than most of being one of the first ten states to open its doors to the virtual felt and provide real money poker websites for MA residents.
Those of you in The Bay State have it pretty easy going when it comes to gambling. Massachusetts punters will have no problem signing up for a real money US poker site account.
A Busy Two Years in Massachusetts Gambling History
Quick Jump
- 5 The Facts
H. 3807 was penned into state law in late-November 2011[1]. It allows the construction of up to three land-based casino resorts with real money poker rooms and one slots parlor. Since then, 11 Indian tribes and major gambling companies submitted proposals to have their brands associated with one of Massachusetts new casinos and poker gambling card rooms.
Of those interested in running real money poker and casino operations in MA, Mohegan Sun and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe have proven to be the frontrunners [2]. The two tribes, both of whom operate large real cash betting casinos in Connecticut, have upped their annual commitment to the citizens of Massachusetts, leading to Mohegan being unanimously approved by the people of Palmer Town to construct a $1 billion legal poker and casino resort within the town’s limits. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will be up for a gambling and betting related referendum vote as early as November 2013.
Things have been equally busy on the Internet gambling and poker website legislation front. MA State rep. Dan Winslow made an ill-fated attempt to attach online gambling legislation relating to lawful real money Internet poker to H. 3807. Shortly thereafter, he tried to amend similar Internet gambling legislation to a 2012 budget bill. Once again, his efforts to bring MA poker fans legal poker websites to play at for real cash failed. Months later, a second attempt to amend an online gambling and Internet poker clause to a budget bill was met with similar results.
In 2013, MA State Senator Minority Leader Bruce Tarr introduced S. 1826, an amendment to a transportation bill that would permit state officials to provide iGaming lawful Internet poker licenses to online gambling providers. Tarr’s amendment would ultimately be rejected in July 2013 [3].
Experts in the poker website industry have indicated that the time for online gambling and real money poker betting legislation in Massachusetts isn’t ripe yet, but that after ground is broken on its land-based casinos and real cash poker offerings, it will be.
Another factor possibly holding Massachusetts legislators back is New Jersey. Until the Garden State can prove to its closest neighbors that online gambling and Internet poker is a viable real money-making machine, most New England and Mid-Atlantic states, including MA, will probably hold off on passing legislation on legal poker websites of their own.
Latest Massachusetts Poker News
Sheldon Adelson will be courted once again by prominent 2016 GOP presidential candidates during next month's Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Spring Leadership Meeting.…
Despite losing the support of the American Gaming Association (AGA), Massachusetts plans to continue moving forward with its Internet gambling study.…
With three land-based casino licenses yet to be awarded, Massachusetts will likely hold off on further consideration of online gambling legislation.…
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will be awarding casino licenses this year, which has renewed talk that gambling expansion may include the Internet.…
Lawmakers in Massachusetts have introduced a proposal calling for online poker to be legalized in the Bay State.…
Can Players from Massachusetts Play Online Poker?
Although there is no official law regulating Internet gaming and real cash poker websites in Massachusetts, that doesn’t mean its residents still can’t sit around in their pyjamas playing online poker at top Internet poker websites – quite the contrary. If anything, US-facing real money gambling online poker websites are more than willing to accept players from The Bay State. Take a look at our list of online poker real money website options for real cash players in MA looking for legit Internet poker websites to play at to find out which poker betting websites accept players from Massachusetts.
Is Online Poker Legal in Massachusetts?
The Internet poker gambling and real money betting statutes of most states including MA haven’t been updated since before the inception of the Internet, let alone include statues specific to online poker and playing Internet poker. Therefore, many state laws regarding iGaming poker websites are up to interpretation, with Massachusetts gambling and legal betting laws proving no exception.
With that said, there is nothing in Massachusetts gambling or poker betting statues that explicitly states online gambling and playing Internet poker for real money is illegal. But before you start celebrating and throwing your real cash poker chips in the air, it is advisable that you seek the legal consul of a professional who knows about the lawful Internet poker scene in MA.
In the meantime, we’ve dissected facets of several Massachusetts gambling and poker betting statues, in an attempt to help you make a more informed decision regarding your options when it comes to finding a real money Internet poker websites to play at in MA:
- “Gaming” not “gambling” is defined to include every act punishable under any law relative to lotteries, policy lotteries or policy, the buying or selling of pools or registering of bets. Apparently, in Massachusetts the word lottery is synonymous with betting and gambling. (Chapter 4, Section 7)
- As expected, the penalties for permitting a non legit gambling operation in MA are harsher than for merely participating in an illegal gambling or real cash betting activity. Gamblers are subject to a fine of no more than fifty dollars or [imprisonment] for no more than three months while anyone who permits a game of something like Texas Hold’em poker can do up to one year of jail time.
- Running a sizable gambling ring (Chapter 271, Section 16A) carries with it heavy levies in MA, including up to fifteen (15) years in prison and a $10,000 fine. In order to be guilty, the gambling or betting ringleader would have to be in charge of at least four persons so that such persons may provide facilities or services or assist in the provision of facilities or services for the conduct of illegal lotteries, or for the illegal registration of bets or the illegal buying and selling of pools upon the result of a trial or contest in Massachusetts.
- The use of a telephone for gaming purposes is deemed illegal. The law was probably designed to combat sports betting and not legal real money poker gambling, but it can be loosely interpreted as a blanket law that would envelop online gambling and Internet poker betting. Penalties for placing phone bets include up to a $2,000 fine and as much as one year behind bars in an MA prison.
Massachusetts features plenty (soon to be more) facilities where gambling on real money poker games is considered legal and acceptable.
To read more about Massachusetts gambling and real cash poker betting laws [4] and other gaming related news, check out the “References” section.
- U. S. Poker Site
- Compatibillity
- Editor Rating
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- Very player friendly
- Generous cashback
- Great mobile play
The Facts
The History of Gambling in Massachusetts
1934
1934
Betting on horse racing and dog racing was legalized.
1971
1971
The modern lottery was created and introduced to the state of Massachusetts in 1971. The first draw took place the following year and has grew ever since.
2007
2007
The rapid growth of gambling throughout Massachusetts saw the introduction of a casino expansion bill. Unfortunately, this didn’t make it into law and was not signed by the governor.
2011
2011
A casino bill passed under the Expanded Gaming Act. This resulted in three casino resorts and one slot parlor to be built and opened.
2013
2013
Charitable gaming revenues were recorded and reportedly $66.5 million was the total annual gross from the year.
2014
2014
Potential arose for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to start plans on building a casino in the south eastern part of the state. This was a result of the federal tribal commission dropping objections to the proposed idea.
2015
2015
This was a big year for the state as it saw the opening of a slot parlor at Plainridge Park casino. Additionally, MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett are two casino resorts under development.
Unlike other pre-Revolutionary War colonies, the majority of Massachusetts early residents were vehemently opposed to lotteries and other forms of gambling like legal Texas Hold’em poker betting. Part of this unfavorable outlook on legit gambling in MA was likely due to the widespread presence of Puritans. By the 1800s Massachusetts’ betting stance had grown so strong that it would offer opposition to other states establishing real money lotteries and thus allowing legal gambling.
As it did in most north-eastern states, the Great Depression forced Massachusetts to loosen its haughty stance on gambling and legit poker betting, and by 1934 the State Racing Commission was created. Simultaneously, the Suffolk Downs [5] horseracing gambling track was built. Harness and greyhound racing tracks followed shortly thereafter. Betting real money in MA on greyhound racing has since been banned (2008).
Ironically, Massachusetts was also one of the first states to implement a statewide Lottery for its gambling hungry citizens. In the early 1970s, the state was desperately in need of a revenue infusion, and the lottery provided a welcome windfall of lawful gambling real money revenue.
Charitable and pari-mutuel betting are also legal in Massachusetts, and as of 2011 commercial casinos and real money poker gambling rooms became permissible in MA under state law. Tribal casinos and real cash poker card rooms, like those in Connecticut, are also deemed legal within Massachusetts borders.
To date, the only building labeled a casino in Massachusetts is Stockbridge Casino, which functioned as a social attraction and not a real money poker gambling facility. Today, Stockbridge Casino is a historic tourist attraction and not somewhere to go for a little real cash Texas Hold’em poker action.
Regulation Gambling Options in Massachusetts
Just because nearly every type of gambling and betting including real money poker gambling is legal in Massachusetts, doesn’t mean MA citizens have a plethora of options when it comes to where to do their lawful real money betting. If anything, they’re usually forced to drive into Connecticut or another neighboring state to get their gambling or poker betting fix. That will change soon, as within the next several years at least one commercial or tribal casino with a real money poker room will open its doors to the public.
In addition to the imminent construction of a full-scale casino resort, Massachusetts residents can purchase real cash lottery tickets from one of hundreds of authorized sellers, or participate in various charitable or pari-mutuel gambling and gambling settings. This is a great way for poker betting fans to satisfy their gambling itches before real money poker comes to MA in full force.
Poker players in Massachusetts can pick from an array of poker websites, none of which are regulated by the state.
The Future of Regulated Online Gambling in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of only a handful of east coast states that could support a viable intrastate Internet poker iGaming operation. Its population rivals that of New Jersey, and Massachusetts is the sixth most visited state in the US (New Jersey is ninth) meaning MA stands to make a lot of money out of its gambling population if it opens real cash legal poker websites [6]. The state of MA is also open to future Internet gambling and real money poker betting compacts with Pennsylvania and California, should those states legalize regulated online gambling and Internet poker as well.
However, all of MA state’s attempts to push iGaming Internet poker legislation thus far have fallen decidedly flat. Combine that with the state’s elongated land-based casino and real money poker room expansion efforts and it could be a while before the online gambling and real cash poker websites in MA issue is taken seriously. Although, once the time is right for Internet gambling to become lawful in MA, and it seems inevitable that it will be, Massachusetts should be in full support of expanding into the Internet gambling and real money poker websites market.
Fun Fact
“Action Dan” Harrington, the writer of Harrington on Hold’em – a series of real cash poker books that has helped hundreds of thousands of aspiring gambling poker players elevate their Texas Hold’em poker games – is a native of Massachusetts, indicative by his heavy Boston accent, and authentic green Red Sox cap.
Most famous for winning the prestigious poker betting tournament that was the WSOP Main Event in 1995 and making back-to-back final table Main Event appearances in 2003 and 2004, Harrington’s notorious real money poker squeeze play was on full display on national TV, and remains one of the most memorable hands in recent legit poker history.
The Bottom Line
Massachusetts, like so many other states in the area, is proceeding with caution into the world of lawful real cash Internet poker. Until its land-based casino and real money poker gambling room arrangements are settled, do not expect an online gambling Internet poker bill to pass through MA government. Even then, if New Jersey and Delaware fail to make headway in the iGaming Internet poker and real cash gambling market, Massachusetts might abandon its tentative plans to introduce online gambling and Internet poker websites completely.
But with Connecticut determined to expand into the virtual arena of real money poker websites, and the possibility of interstate Internet poker compacts looming, the next logical step for Massachusetts would be to throw its hat into the legal real cash poker websites mix – especially since it’s already in the process of building three facilities that could legally inhabit online gaming operations and legit real money Internet poker websites.
References
[1] ↑Governor Patrick Signs Expanded Gaming Legislation
[2] ↑Two Connecticut Tribes Closer to Building Casinos in Massachusetts
[3] ↑Another Swing and a Miss for Massachusetts Online Gambling
[4] ↑Massachusetts Gaming Commission
[5] ↑Suffolk Downs
[6] ↑Statistic Brain: Tourism Stats
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Massachusetts is currently transitioning from having no commercial casinos to
having three casino resorts and a slots parlor.
The Plainridge Park Casino (slots parlor) is already open, while the MGM
Springfield opens in 2018 and the Wynn Everett opens in 2019. This has the
potential to make Massachusetts the biggest casino destination in New England.
Unfortunately, this swirl of casino activity hasn’t resulted in the state
regulating online gaming yet. But at least the discussion is rolling.
So, how close is Massachusetts to legalizing internet
gaming? And what’s the current state of iGaming here?
Find out as we cover the Massachusetts online gaming market in the next
section.
We’re also going to discuss the state’s land-based gambling laws, current
legal gaming activities and the history of Massachusetts gambling.
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Online Gambling and Massachusetts Law
The Massachusetts Constitution was ratified in 1780, making it the oldest
constitution in the United States.
Not surprisingly, their criminal code contains antiquated language that
hasn’t caught up to the iGaming world. This is apparent from the mention of
“inns,” “innkeepers” and “bazaars” in the gambling laws.
You won’t find anything related to online gamblers or offshore casinos
located in the Massachusetts Constitution.
This places the Old Colony State in a grey area with regard to internet
gaming, and it brings up more questions than answers, which we’ll cover below.
Is Online Gambling Legal in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts Casino Closing
No, Massachusetts has never legalized and regulated iGaming. But, on the
other hand, online gaming isn’t explicitly illegal either.
No excerpt in the state criminal code specifically bans internet gambling or
makes it illegal for people to gamble online.
The only part that comes close is Section 17A, which you can see below:
“Whoever uses a telephone or, being the occupant in control of premises where
a telephone is located or a subscriber for a telephone, knowingly permits
another to use a telephone so located or for which he subscribes, as the case
may be, for the purpose of accepting wagers or bets, or buying or selling of
pools, or for placing all or any portion of a wager with another, upon the
result of a trial or contest of skill, speed, or endurance of man, beast, bird,
or machine, or upon the result of an athletic game or contest …”
Nothing in this section mentions the “Internet,” a “computer,” a “electronic
device” or a “mobile device.” We assume that Massachusetts wrote Section 17A
with phone-based sports betting in mind.
Maybe “telephone line” could refer to a Wi-Fi connection, but we’ve seen
other grey-area states with more damning language than this.
Therefore, we see the Bay State as having no true stance against online
gaming right now.
Are Offshore Gaming Sites Safe?
Many offshore casinos, poker sites and sportsbooks serve Massachusetts
residents because the state is in a grey area.
The great thing about this is that it gives Bay Staters an opportunity to
gamble online in the absence of a regulated market. The downside is that
offshore gaming sites aren’t licensed by the state or any U.S. government
agency.
Instead, offshore casinos are located and licensed in countries/territories
like Alderney, Antigua & Barbuda, Costa Rica, Curacao, Quebec (Kahnawake /
Mohawk Territory) and Panama.
These jurisdictions require licensees to meet certain requirements, but they
don’t provide much oversight. This means that whether an offshore site is safe
varies on a case-by-case basis.
The large majority of the time, you’ll be dealing with a reputable company.
After all, offshore sites must be reliable, offer good customer service and
process withdrawals quickly if they want repeat business.
We’ll cover tips later in this section that will help you pick good offshore
casinos and poker rooms.
Can I Get Arrested for Gambling Online in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts doesn’t have anything in their criminal code saying that
gambling at offshore sites is illegal. But this never means that you’re 100% in
the clear.
In fact, Chapter 271: Section 2 has a broad definition of what constitutes
gambling:
“Whoever, in a public conveyance or public place, or in a private place upon
which he is trespassing, plays at cards, dice or any other game for money or
other property, or bets on the sides or hands of those playing, shall forfeit
not more than fifty dollars or be imprisoned for not more than three months; and
whoever sets up or permits such a game shall be punished by a fine of not less
than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not less
than three nor more than twelve months.”
This section goes on to discuss that people can be arrested if they’re caught
violating Massachusetts gambling laws:
“If discovered in the act, he may be arrested without a warrant by a sheriff,
deputy sheriff, constable or any officer qualified to serve criminal process,
and held in custody, in jail or otherwise, for not more than twenty-four hours,
Sunday and legal holidays excepted, until complaint may be made against him for
such offence.”
We only mention Chapter 271: Section 2 to caution you and remind you that
anything is possible.
In reality, the chances of you being arrested for gambling online in
Massachusetts are almost nonexistent. The Bay State has never arrested anybody
for this crime, and we don’t see them doing so in the future.
Will Massachusetts Legalize Online Gambling?
When Massachusetts signed the Expanded Gaming Act into effect in 2011, this
sparked up conversations on iGaming. Here are a couple of notable instances:
- Through a
2013
Telegram article, State Sen. Jennifer Flanagan explained concerns over
Massachusetts losing out on iGaming revenue. “This isn’t a debate over
whether you like gaming or not,” she said, “this is a debate over the fact
that we have to move to online gaming to protect state revenues.” - Bill H3400
mentions that “hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts consumers have been
playing internet poker through websites controlled by illegal off-shore
business” since the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement
Act (UIGEA). - None of these actions have vaulted Massachusetts towards regulated
online gambling, but they’re moving the Bay State towards serious
discussions that will likely begin once the land-based casinos are
established.
How do I Choose the Best Offshore Gaming Site?
Here are some tips on how to look for quality online casinos, poker rooms and
sports betting sites:
- Read Several Reviews
- Look for Non-biased Reviews
- Visit the Site & Do Your Own Research
- Look at Bonus Terms & Conditions
- Check Out the Game Variety
- Contact Customer Support
When you get the urge to gamble online,
reading is the last thing you want to do. But reviews are necessary to
finding the best-possible gaming site before depositing your money.
Many sites that feature reviews are
doing so because they’re affiliates hoping that you’ll sign up. But just
because you’re an affiliate doesn’t mean you can’t offer non-biased reviews.
Skip over sites that offer fluff, and stick to those that give you the real
pros and cons.
In addition to checking
out reviews, you should also visit the prospective casino/poker/sportsbook
site and check it out for yourself.
One of the key things you want to
look at when visiting a gaming site is the terms and conditions of their
bonuses. How much do you have to wager to earn a casino welcome bonus? How
many loyalty points do you need to earn a poker sign-up bonus? It’s good to
answer these questions so you know what’s required to unlock your free
money.
Another thing worth doing at a site is
browsing through their games. It’s always nice when an online casino has at
least 200 total games or more. Likewise, look for poker rooms with plenty of
variations, and sportsbooks that cover a lot of sports.
Good customer service is crucial when you
have an issue or question at a gaming site. Ask customer support an easy
question through live chat to see how quickly they respond. If a casino
doesn’t have live chat, then it’s probably going to take you hours to get a
response through email.
Also On This Page
Gambling Venues in Massachusetts
The History of Gaming Laws in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Gambling FAQs
Additional Information
The Future of Gambling in Massachusetts
More Gambling Laws in Massachusetts
- Casino Games: Legal
- Sports Betting: Not Legal
- Poker: Legal
- Racing Betting: Legal
- Lottery: Legal
- Bingo: Legal
- Charitable Gaming: Legal
- Social Gambling: Not Legal
Casinos Legal
The Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 made way for three casino resorts and one
slots parlor.
MGM received the first license in June 2014 (opening late 2018), Wynn Resorts
received the second in September 2014 (opening late 2019) and the third license
hasn’t been awarded yet.
Both MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett are going to be lavish resorts. MGM
will pour $950 million into their Springfield establishment while the Wynn is
spending $2.1 billion on the Everett venue.
Penn National received the slots-parlor license in February 2014. They opened
their slots-only venue at Plainridge Park racecourse in June 2015.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe also has plans to open a casino in Taunton,
Massachusetts. The tribe signed a compact with the state’s governor in October
2012, but they were met with opposition by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Bureau believes that the Mashpee Wampanoag are being forced to share too
much of their revenue with the state. The tribe revised their agreement, and it
passed the Bureau’s standards.
But now, the federal government is battling the casino on grounds that the
Mashpee aren’t a federally recognized tribe. The U.S. Department of the Interior
dropped their appeal, but they’re still battling that the
tribe has a claim to reservation lands.
Charitable Gambling Legal
Massachusetts has fair charity gaming laws that allow various educational,
fraternal, patriotic and religious groups to offer charitable gambling.
Approved games include bingo, raffles and card games like bridge and poker.
The main stipulation is that 100% of the proceeds must go towards the stated
charity.
Lottery Legal
Legalized in 1971, the Massachusetts State Lottery offers a variety of
multi-state, state and scratch-off games.
Massachusetts Lottery games include: Lucky 4 Life, Mass Cash, Megabucks
Doubler, Mega Millions, Powerball and The Numbers Game.
Poker Legal
The three commercial casino licenses give the licensees the ability to offer
live poker. Other than this, Massachusetts live poker scene is limited to
charity gambling.
Racing Legal
The Bay State has offered legal pari-mutuel betting since 1935.
Like many other states, they once had a thriving horseracing industry.
Massachusetts also offered greyhound racing at Raynham-Taunton Park and
Wonderland Park, but they banned greyhound racing, and the horseracing industry
isn’t what it used to be.
You can still find races at Plainridge and fall events at the Northampton
County Fair, but the Massachusetts pari-mutuel industry has certainly declined.
Social Gambling Not Legal
The Massachusetts criminal code fails to property address social gaming one
way or the other.
We can’t find any language that restricts or bans social gambling. That said,
private poker games and office betting pools are likely legal, provided the host
isn’t profiting in any manner.
Gambling Venues in Massachusetts
The Plainridge slots parlor is the only active Massachusetts casino at the
time of this writing. They boast over 1,200 gaming machines, including slots,
video poker and other games.
As covered before, Massachusetts also has a few racetracks and upcoming
casino resorts.
Plainridge and the future casinos will help make the Bay State a major player
in the area gaming market.
Connecticut and New York will provide the toughest competition for
Massachusetts’ casinos. But the state will still draw gamblers from parts of
Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Below you can see a few current and future Massachusetts gambling spots.
1) MGM Springfield
1441 Main Street
Springfield, Massachusetts
2) Norwegian Cruise Lines
Dawn 1 Black Falcon Avenue
East Boston, Massachusetts
3) Plainridge Park Casino
301 Washington Street
Plainville, Massachusetts
4) Wynn Boston Harbor Resort
1 Horizon Way
Everett, Massachusetts, United States
History of Gambling in Massachusetts
Massachusetts became the second colony settled in 1620, when the Pilgrims
arrived at Plymouth Rock. It didn’t take long before settlers began playing
small games of chance.
In later years, the colony used lotteries and raffles to fund public projects
like Harvard University and the Massachusetts State House.
But it wasn’t until the 1900s that lawmakers got involved in gambling. The
State Legislature approved pari-mutuel betting in 1935 and the Massachusetts
Lottery in 1971.
Facing pressures from out of state casinos, lawmakers and voters approved the
2011 Expanded Gaming Act in order to create commercial casinos.
Plainridge Casino became Massachusetts’ first official casino in 2015, and
the state is poised to enter the era of major casino resort gambling beginning
in 2018.
State Legislature legalizes pari-mutuel betting; Suffolk Downs opens the same year.
1999Plainridge Park racetrack opens and begins offering harness racing.
2011Legislature and voters approve Expanded Gaming Act, which allows for three commercial casino licenses and one slots parlor.
2012Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe agrees to casino compact with state, but they’re rejected by Indian Bureau of Affairs.
2013Sen. Flanagan begins discussions on regulated online gaming.
2014Anti-casino lobbying group launches referendum to stop casinos; voters defeat bill by 60%/40% ratio.
2014MGM and Wynn awarded two of the state’s three casino-resort licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Daily Fantasy Sports Legal in Massachusetts?
Yes. A daily fantasy sports (DFS) bill passed both Massachusetts houses and
was signed into effect by Gov. Charlie Baker in August, 2016.
Casinos In Massachusetts State
At this time, the state is still setting up the market. But when it gets
rolling, Massachusetts will have legal and regulated DFS contests.
Why are there Online Casinos in Massachusetts? Aren’t they Illegal?
Offshore gaming sites normally avoid states for two main reasons:
- The state has a regulated iGaming
market. - They’ve taken legal action against
offshore sites.
The former example includes Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey. The latter
includes Kentucky and Maryland.
Massachusetts doesn’t fit into either of these categories. Furthermore, they
haven’t even made online gambling illegal, which Louisiana, Montana and
Washington have done.
The Bay State is generally tolerant towards offshore gaming, which is why you
see online casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks operating in the state.
It’ll be a while before Massachusetts takes any serious action towards
legalizing this activity. That said, expect offshore sites to continue serving
the Old Colony State for years to come.
Why Doesn’t Massachusetts Offer Its Own Online Casinos?
Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey are the only three states that have legalized
and regulated online gaming so far. All three have required online gaming sites
to partner with a land-based casino. After all, brick-and-mortar casinos have
influence in any state that they serve, and they don’t want internet operators
also serving state residents without sharing a piece of the pie.
Massachusetts only has the Plainridge Casino right now. But they’ll soon have
the MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett.
Odds are that Massachusetts won’t act on legalizing internet casinos until
their brick-and-mortar market has had a few years to operate.
Additional Resources
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission oversees casinos in the state, while The
Massachusetts State Lottery handles lottery duties.
Below you can see information on these agencies along with where to find more
on the state’s gaming laws:
The Gaming Commission regulates casinos and enforces gaming laws. They’ve
been instrumental in handling the process of awarding commercial casino licenses
and setting up rules for the casino market.
The state lottery handles all lottery products in the states, sets payouts and awards
winners.
This site offers you an easy way to search through the Massachusetts
Constitution and answer your gambling-related questions.
The Future & Your Views
Massachusetts has never been one of the earliest or latest states to legalize
different forms of gaming. This holds true for casinos (2012), the lottery
(1971) and pari-mutuel betting (1935).
Online Casino For Massachusetts Residents List
We expect them to be middle of the road when it comes to regulating online
gaming. The Old Colony State is finally getting around to launching commercial
casinos. It’s going to be a few years before they begin seriously considering
internet gaming.
Online Casino For Massachusetts Residents
Sen. Flanagan started the talks several years ago, and while this hasn’t
pushed Massachusetts towards any serious legislative efforts, iGaming is at
least on the radar.
The fact that neighboring New York and nearby Pennsylvania are seriously
considering online gaming could hasten Massachusetts’ efforts. After all, if
they see these states experiencing success, then they’ll be more interested in
the matter. The good news is that state residents and visitors have more than
enough offshore gaming sites to keep them busy until this happens.
Massachusetts’ lawmakers don’t seem overly bothered by offshore casinos and
poker rooms. This gives you plenty of options until regulation happens.