Massachusetts’ laws regarding land-based wagering are less stringent than those of other states in the United States. Even so, Massachusetts has not yet expressly legalized online wagering in the United States.
Best Casino in Massachusetts
The history of the northeastern state of Massachusetts predates the Boston Tea Party, which precipitated the American Revolution. However, this does not apply to its wagering laws. In 2011, the state finally permitted three land-based casinos and one slots parlor to operate within its borders. Currently, residents and visitors of Massachusetts, also known as the Bay State, have very limited options other than the above. These include pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, the state lottery, gambling for charitable purposes, and Daily Fantasy Sport. For those looking to play their favorite casino games online for amusement, Massachusetts fully permits social gambling, and a number of social casinos offer this option.
Legal Status Of Land-Based And Online Casinos In Massachusetts
Massachusetts, like many other U.S. jurisdictions, has peculiar and specific gambling regulations. This holds true for both online gambling and traditional gambling. In a nutshell, only state-approved brick-and-mortar casinos and one slots parlor are permitted to offer wagering. In the meantime, online wagering is prohibited. Additionally, the state has legalized the state lottery, charitable gambling, pari-mutuel horse racing wagering, and Daily Fantasy Sports. Below, we examine in greater detail everything that was discussed previously. With the passage of the Expanded Gaming Act in 2011, Massachusetts ultimately authorized land-based gambling within its borders. Despite the fact that this was revolutionary for the Bay State, the law remains quite strict. In fact, the state was divided into three regions, and legislators permitted only one physical location. Each region may operate a casino in the manner of Las Vegas, as well as one slots parlor in the entire state. It took four years for the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville to open, but when it did, the exhilaration and fanfare were palpable. In August of 2018, the next step was taken, and the first land-based casino, the MGM Springfield in Springfield, began serving Region B, which encompasses the western portion of the state. The Encore Boston Harbor, a $2.5 billion property located in Everett, joined Region A (the middle of the state, including Boston) only last year (2019), when it opened for business.
Region C, which encompasses affluent locations such as Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod, is still awaiting its casino. The developers, the federally recognized Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, are in court with local residents over their proposed endeavor. Residents and visitors of Massachusetts who are not served by facilities within the state frequently travel to other states to engage in recreational activities. Rhode Island is one of these states, where they can play to their hearts’ content at the Newport Grand Casino and the Twin River Casino. To participate at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket or the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut is another option. Massachusetts has also approved a number of additional gambling alternatives. It legalized charitable gambling in 1971, following a lengthy prohibition on bingo that began in the 1940s. The state lottery was established in the same year, and it has since expanded to include affiliations with Mega Millions and Powerball, among others. Additionally, the state has a lengthy history of pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, which is legal despite the absence of live thoroughbred racing. Nonetheless, Plainridge Park offers live harness racing between April and November each year. In case you were curious, greyhound racing has been prohibited in Massachusetts since 2010, when residents were asked to vote on the matter.
When it comes to online wagering in Massachusetts, however, the situation is still precarious. The concept of gambling is defined as “winning $5 or more by gaming or betting on sides or hands of those playing, in a public place or while trespassing on private property.” The state law does not specifically mention online gambling. By definition, this encompasses the vast majority of online casinos where you are likely to win more than $5. At the time of writing, it does not appear that this will change shortly, but the situation is slowly shifting. In 2016, Governor Charlie Baker authorized Daily Fantasy Sports by signing a bill into law. As with other fantasy sports, players must use their imagination and logic to construct fictitious teams of athletes from various sports. The state also allows online horse racing pari-mutuel wagering. In addition, players can purchase season lottery tickets that are effective for three, six, or twelve months. In Massachusetts, the minimum age to play the lottery, wager on horse races, or participate in charitable gambling is 18. Residents of the Bay State must be at least 21 years old to gamble in casinos.
Present-day Land-Based Gambling In Massachusetts
Are you seeking a land-based casino in the Bay State? Here is a list of the three brick-and-mortar locations in Massachusetts where it is lawful to do so, as well as out-of-state alternatives.
State Casino Games Additional Information
Plainridge Park Casino, Plainville, Massachusetts, has 1,200 slot machines.
Video Poker
Electronic Table Games The minimum age to gamble is 21.
The only casino with machines.
The casino’s website features social and lawful online slot machines. (i.e. for no money).
Providing harness racing.
MGM Springfield, Massachusetts, 2500 Slot Machines
23 Poker Tables
120 Table Games The minimum age to gamble is 21.
There are 12,500 square feet of gaming space.
First casino with LEEDTM Platinum certification.
Includes a movie theater, bowling facility, ice rinks, and an outdoor market.
Encore Boston Harbor Everett, MA 2800 Slots
70 Poker Tables
160 Table Games The minimum age to gamble is 21.
There are restaurants, spas, and stores in the area.
Twin River Casino Lincoln, Rhode Island, has 4,100 Slot Machines.
20 Poker Tables
100 Table Games The minimum age to gamble is 18.
Additionally, the casino offers a sportsbook and a racebook.
5500 Slot Machines at Mohegan Sun Uncasville, Connecticut
40 Poker Tables
375 Table Games with a minimum age of 21.
Administrated by the Mohegan Tribe.
Massachusetts Online Gambling Statutes
The wagering laws of Massachusetts, like those of many other states, have not yet caught up with the new online reality and therefore do not specifically mention online gambling. However, the law as it currently stands can easily be extended to include online wagering, as it defines gambling as “winning $5 or more by gaming.” Sadly, this could apply to the vast majority of online casino activities in Massachusetts, including online slots, roulette, poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps, and the rest. The law permits residents and visitors of the Bay State to engage in social gambling, even online. In fact, participants in Massachusetts have access to Zynga, Big Fish, Double Down, Slotomania, and numerous other social casinos. These are available throughout the United States and have been posted on Facebook. These can also be used to participate on mobile casinos via specialized applications. In addition, the Plainridge Casino site operates a Play4Fun network where both locals and visitors can play online casino games. This is a great method to get a feel for the slot machines before entering the actual casino.
What should I be aware of regarding online casinos in Massachusetts?
The law of Massachusetts does not specifically mention online wagering. However, the Bay State’s definition of gambling could readily be expanded to include playing online casino games for real money.
Playing at offshore-registered casinos from Massachusetts is also not recommended, as you may still run afoul of the law, and your funds and personal information may not be secure.
Currently, residents and visitors of Massachusetts can engage in social online gambling, as well as pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and Daily Fantasy Sports. The purchase of lottery season tickets is also permitted.
As a result of a 2011 modification to the gambling laws in Massachusetts, the state now has three brick-and-mortar casinos and one slots parlor.
Gambling Laws Governing Offshore Casinos And What It Means For Players In Massachusetts
Although Massachusetts law does not specifically mention online wagering, it is illegal for online casinos to operate within the state. In fact, the only forms of online gambling permitted in the state are Daily Fantasy Sports, pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, and the purchase of lottery season tickets. Social gambling is also permitted in Massachusetts, but this does not appeal to the majority of those seeking to wager real money. As a result, many individuals prefer offshore-registered casinos, which are casino websites based in a jurisdiction where such activities are legal and regulated. These are either from another U.S. state or from jurisdictions such as Malta, Curacao, and Gibraltar, among others. Offshore-registered casinos may place you, your money, your data, and your rights in jeopardy, in addition to the possibility of breaking the law. In fact, the state may not be able to assist you should something go awry. If you have a serious hankering for gambling, you should visit one of the two brick-and-mortar casinos in Massachusetts, the slots facility, or a casino in Rhode Island or Connecticut.
Online Casino Games Available in Massachusetts
Due to the illegality of online wagering in Massachusetts, there are no online casino games that can be played for real money there. This includes the live versions of the overwhelming majority of casino games, including roulette, slots, poker, baccarat, blackjack, craps, and the rest. Massachusetts allows residents and visitors to participate in Daily Fantasy Sport, pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, and the purchase of state lottery tickets for the season. If, on the other hand, you merely want to play your favorite casino games without wagering real money, social gambling is permitted, and residents of Massachusetts have access to all the major social gambling sites in the United States.
Banking Options At Online Casinos In Massachusetts
While online gambling is not explicitly prohibited in Massachusetts, it is at best disapproved upon, and therefore we do not recommend engaging in it while in the Bay State. Therefore, we have no information regarding the preferred payment methods of Massachusetts residents at Massachusetts online casinos. If, however, you are located outside of the United States and in a jurisdiction that allows online gambling, we recommend that you review the terms and conditions of the online casino website of your choice to ensure that the available payment methods meet your requirements.
Online Gambling in Massachusetts FAQs
Are online casinos permitted in Massachusetts?
The gambling laws of Massachusetts do not specifically mention online gambling, but a clause that defines gambling as “winning $5 or more by gaming” can be readily expanded to encompass this activity. Therefore, it is probably safest to presume that online gambling is illegal in Massachusetts. If you intend to proceed regardless, we recommend that you consult with your attorney before potentially getting into legal difficulty. Social gambling, or playing online casino games without wagering or winning real money, is completely legal, and participants and visitors in Massachusetts can access the vast majority of online social casinos available in the United States.
Can I gamble at an online casino from my smartphone or tablet in Massachusetts?
No, not really. Since playing at online casinos in Massachusetts is not expressly permitted, you should not do so on any device, including a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Nevertheless, social wagering is legal and secure on all devices.
What casino games can I play at online casinos in Massachusetts?
Unfortunately, it is illegal to play casino games, including poker, baccarat, roulette, slots, blackjack, craps, and others. In the Bay State, only pari-mutuel wagers on horse racing, Daily Fantasy Sports, and the purchase of state lottery entries are permitted online.
Can dollars be used to play online casino games?
In Massachusetts, it is illegal to use any form of currency for online wagering. This is because there are no laws stating that real-money online wagering is legal in Massachusetts. If you are in a jurisdiction that allows online gambling, you should check the information on the website of your preferred online casino to determine which currencies or virtual currencies are accepted and if they meet your requirements.
Are these online casinos in Massachusetts regulated?
All of the online casinos listed on this website are legal, regulated, and take every precaution to safeguard your funds, personal information, and legal rights. Due to the fact that online gambling is not strictly legal in Massachusetts, the only casinos mentioned here are state-approved land-based casinos and legal social gambling websites.
Am I eligible for an online casino incentive at a casino in Massachusetts?
Only states where online gambling is expressly permitted may claim bonuses. Since online gambling in Massachusetts is not legal, participants in the Bay State cannot claim or receive online casino bonuses. Obviously, if you are in a jurisdiction that allows legal online gambling, you should consult the website of the online casino of your choice to see what bonuses are available, including welcome bonuses, free spins, and no-deposit bonuses.
How do I begin gambling for real money at an online casino in Massachusetts?
There is no means to do so in the State of California. At the time of writing, online wagering is illegal in Massachusetts, so no real-money casino games can be played. However, social gambling is completely legal and risk-free, and the best method to access these sites is to search for a social casino on Facebook or to download a dedicated app.
What are the most prevalent online casino payment methods in Massachusetts?
We have no information on this, as online gambling is not strictly lawful in Massachusetts. Always examine the terms and conditions of the online casino you choose to play at to ensure that the available payment methods are compatible with your needs. This, however, applies only in states where online gambling is legal; Massachusetts is not one of them.
What is the minimum age for wagering in Massachusetts?
Residents of Massachusetts must be at least 18 years old to participate in the state lottery, charitable gambling, or pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing. To participate in casinos and Daily Fantasy Sports, participants must be at least 21 years old.
In Massachusetts, am I required to pay taxes on my gambling winnings?
Although online gambling is illegal in Massachusetts, brick-and-mortar casinos, the state lottery, charitable gambling, pari-mutuel wagering (even online), and Daily Fantasy Sports are permitted. Residents and part-year residents must include their winnings (cash or the fair market value of non-cash prizes) in their federal gross income. In addition, visitors are taxed on gambling and lottery winnings derived from Massachusetts sources, such as land-based casinos and slots parlors, the lottery, multi-jurisdictional lotteries if the ticket was purchased in Massachusetts, pari-mutuel wagering paid for in the state, and any other wagering transactions conducted in the Bay State.
Stay Safe and Obey the Law When Participating in Online Gambling in Massachusetts!
We trust this clarifies any questions you had about online gambling in Massachusetts. Always abide by the laws of the jurisdiction you’re in and never risk more than you can afford to lose. Best of success!