Massachusetts

Massachusetts Online Gambling & Sportsbooks in 2022

As of late 2022, online sports betting was finally made legal in Massachusetts after a lot of back and forth – the first retail sportsbooks in the online space are expected to launch in early 2023.

There are currently no legal online casinos, however, but there are options to play for fun and some sweepstakes casinos too. As of 2022 there are currently no plans to launch legal online casinos, but the long awaited launch of online sportsbooks next year could see this change in the future.

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Best New Casinos in Massachusetts

Massachusetts players are increasingly turning to online casinos to find their favorite classic/video slots, roulette, blackjack, poker/video poker, and more. These games are from high-end providers such as Rival Gaming, Realtime Gaming, Betsoft, and available in free play mode or real money.

Of course, players from Massachusetts are not willing to settle for any old casino. This is why we bring only the best new casinos in Massachusetts to our visitors.

What makes these the best? Besides entertaining games, our visitors are after casino bonuses, comp points, VIP programs, loyalty points, tournaments, and more.

Topping up your player account is quick and easy in USD (Visa/Mastercard/Amex/Discover) or BTC if you have a Bitcoin wallet.

Our casinos are trustworthy, with games tested and certified as fair, and use the latest SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online. Massachusetts residents may need to turn to offshore gambling sites for online casino games in the meantime and many of these sites offer online sports betting through online sportsbooks and a wide range of games including online lottery, poker, bingo, and many more until the state is ready for legalizing online gambling and bringing legalized sports betting.

If you want to learn more, why not browse our casino list, where you’ll also find an accompanying in-house casino review. Our reviews are comprehensive and look at the casino from all angles.

Best Bonuses in Massachusetts Casinos

Besides offering a wide assortment of games, our recommended online casinos offer competitive welcome bonus packages consisting of generous bonus money and free spins. Some even offer a signup no deposit bonus simply for registering an account. Here players can collect a small number of free spins or bonus money.

Importantly, we’ve looked through the bonus T&Cs and wagering requirements to ensure they are fair. The last thing you want is bonus terms & conditions and wagering requirements that make it next to impossible for you to keep any of your winnings.

Casino bonuses are not limited to new players only. Many online casinos offer bonuses to loyal players, including free spins bonuses, reload bonuses, cashback bonuses, or others.

If you’re an online casino player from Massachusetts, why not see what bonuses you’ve been missing? In terms of game availability, offshore sites prevent plenty of options for virtual table games, slots only casino options, online poker and many other forms of casino gambling too.

Massachusetts Gambling Overview

Gambling in the state dates back centuries to the early lotteries. Legal forms of gambling in Massachusetts include charitable gaming, licensed horse racing pari-mutuels, DFS, and a state lottery. In 2011, 3 state casinos were authorized in Massachusetts, although there are presently only 2 in operation in addition to a slot parlor. The state also has two American Indian tribes attempting to gain approval to build and operate tribal casinos. Commercial operations, including casinos and pari-mutuel wagering, are regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Online gambling is illegal, and there are presently no Bills to change that. The General Court passed a Bill authorizing the launch of a study on the subject in 2016.

Massachusetts has been slow to adopt sports betting after spending 3+ years studying and considering it. Several Bills, including Massachusetts Bill SD 2365 filed in February 2021, are attempting to legalize sports betting. SD.177 was submitted to regulate sports wagering. Massachusetts has been losing much-needed revenue to New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New York in recent years. There is a general expectation that Massachusetts sports betting will become legal in 2021 and likely be launched in 2022.

Lottery

The Massachusetts Lottery offers instant tickets. Several state draws are also available, including keno, Jackpot Poker, All or Nothing, The Numbers Game, Megabucks Doubler, and Mass Cash. It also offers multistate draws, including Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, and Powerball. Massachusetts withholds 5% of winnings over $600, considerably lower than the $5,000 of many other states.

Charitable Gambling

Non-profit organizations are permitted to offer gambling to raise money. Permitted games include raffles, casino nights (bazaars), bridge & whist, and bingo. Golden age clubs for senior citizen organizations can run bingo games with less oversight when prizes are no more than $100.

Pari-Mutuel Racing

Massachusetts regulates live and simulcast harness and thoroughbred horse racing as well as pari-mutuel racing on both. Advance deposit wagering is also permitted. Greyhound racing in the state ended on January 1st, 2010, after a November 2008 ballot to end the practice.

Fantasy Sports

Daily fantasy sports falls under regulation 940 CMR 34.00. Amateur, college, and high school sports are prohibited from use in fantasy sports betting. Massachusetts players may hold just one account at an operator and may not deposit more than $1,000 in a calendar month. Operators must ensure that players can afford losses based on provided information concerning assets and income. Temporary increases to the deposit limit are permitted provided that the player has the financial means to withstand losses.

Land-Based (State) Casinos

Presently, Massachusetts has 2 state casinos and a racetrack & slot parlor scattered throughout the state. They can legally provide slots, video poker, and electronic table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, poker rooms & tournaments. Plainridge Park Casino is a slot parlor also allowing live and simulcast racing wagering.

Massachusetts has 2 federally recognized native tribes attempting to open a tribal casino on reservation land. These are the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head in Aquinnah and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Taunton.

Massachusetts has a history of casino cruises where gambling boats would leave state borders for outside waters. This included the Vegas Express between 1998 and 1999, El Dorado, and Southern Elegance beginning in 1999. Aquasino was the last cruise boat that ran for a few months in 2013.

State Casinos & Slot Parlor	Address	Website
Plainridge Park Casino *(Racetrack & Slot Parlor)	301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762	plainridgeparkcasino.com
Encore Boston Harbor Casino	1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149	encorebostonharbor.com
MGM Springfield Casino	1 MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103	mgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com

Massachusetts Casinos Map

 

 

Online Sports Betting in Massachusetts

A sports betting bill was able to pass through Massachusetts law makers in October of 2022 – this new Massachusetts legislature has allowed for online sports betting to emerge and players will now be awaiting news for which sportsbook operators will secure licensing to launch their services within the state.

Massachusetts Gambling History

Lotteries in colonial Massachusetts were common until they were banned in 1719. A public lottery was again authorized in 1745, and 15+ draws in 1749 to 1761. The frequency of lotteries became frowned upon, leading to a ban in 1833. In modern times, the Massachusetts lottery was created in 1971, with the first draw held a year later.

Massachusetts charitable fundraisers were legalized in stages: Whist and bridge in 1932, Beano in 1934 before banned again in 1943, a bazaar in 1969, Beano in 1971. A local election is required to decide what is permissible.

In 1934, the Massachusetts State Racing Commission was created. That same year, horse and dog race betting was legalized. The following year saw Suffolks Downs opened primarily for thoroughbred racing. Sadly, it held its last race in 2019. 1935 also saw Wonderland Greyhound Park and Taunton Dog Track opened, followed by Raynham Greyhound Park in 1941. Harness racing was introduced in 1947. Taunton closed in 1981 and became part of Raynham track. The remaining tracks closed at the end of 2009 when dog racing in Massachusetts was banned.

A fair circuit allowing horse and dog racing at agricultural fairs statewide was typical until 2005 but were notorious vehicles for race-fixing. The state racing commission was transferred to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in May 2012. The Massachusetts greyhound protection act also eliminated commercial dog racing by 2010.

In 2011 Democrat Deval Patrick signed the Expanded Gaming Act into law to establish 3 resort casinos in different parts of Massachusetts. Furthermore, a single slots facility would be placed in one location in the state. In a statewide ballot in November 2014, efforts to repeal the 2011 law allowing resort casinos was defeated.

The Mashpee tribe received approval for a casino in 2015. However, a year later (2016), a court overturned land-into-trust approval necessary, which suspended the project. In 2018, the Aquinnah tribe began plans to build a casino at a site on reservation land.

Regulation 940 CMR 34.00 was introduced on July 1st, 2016, to regulate daily fantasy sports.

Massachusetts Gambling FAQ

Is pari-mutuel betting legal in Massachusetts?

Yes, pari-mutuel wagering on live and simulcast horse and greyhound racing is legal.

Does Massachusetts have a state lottery?

The Massachusetts Lottery offers instant tickets, state draws (Jackpot Poker, All or Nothing, The Numbers Game, keno, Mass Cash, Megabucks Doubler), and multistate draws.

Does Massachusetts have land-based casinos?

Currently, Massachusetts has 2 commercial casinos and 1 slot parlor.

Is Massachusetts sports betting legal?

Sports betting was made legal in Massachusetts in October of 2022 with sports betting bills having finally passing through – whilst legal sports betting is available there currently are no online sportsbooks set-up but these will be coming to the state shortly.

Is online gambling legal in Massachusetts?

No, online gambling is not legal in Massachusetts. There are no efforts underway to change this but the recent introduction of online sports betting could see other online gaming become available for residents to play online casinos and more.

What is the legal gambling age in Massachusetts?

The legal gambling age in Massachusetts depends on the form of gambling. Fantasy sports and state casinos have a minimum legal age of 21. Other forms such as lotteries, pari-mutuel betting, and charitable gaming have a minimum legal age of 18.

Conclusion

Massachusetts is not among the more liberal gambling states, although this could change in time. With just 2 land-based casinos, getting to one if you enjoy Vegas-style games can be a bit of a challenge and not always convenient. Unfortunately, interactive gaming in Massachusetts has yet to be legalized, and there is no timeframe for when this might happen – with the recent passing of a bill to allow online sports betting, however, an online gambling bill aimed to legalize online casinos may not be too far away.

Some impatient players from Massachusetts are not waiting for this day to arrive as they already play at offshore online casinos. If this is your case also, you can find some recommended online casinos in our article above. We also suggest you visit our Massachusetts page every once in a while for the latest updates on state gambling laws.