Massachusetts Online Gambling

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Massachusetts Online Gambling

Latest Massachusetts Online Gambling News
The city of Springfield will receive $644,000 in grants to help revitalize the downtown area around MGM Springfield.

Online sports betting in Massachusetts is now available for everyone to enjoy!

In March 2023, the gambling options in Massachusetts experienced a significant expansion as online sports betting was introduced. This new market not only provides retail sportsbooks but also offers online betting apps that come with enticing welcome offers designed specifically for newcomers.

Play MA is your go-to source for the latest gambling news in the Bay State, which offers various forms of legal gambling including resort casinos, a state-run lottery, wagering on horse racing, and more. Don’t forget to visit us frequently for updates!

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Legal Gambling in Massachusetts

Online Casinos

Regrettably, online casinos are currently not permitted in Massachusetts. As far as we know, there are no immediate plans to legalize online casino gambling in the state.

Currently, the most suitable choices for residents of Massachusetts seeking to engage in online casino-style games are social casinos. These platforms provide opportunities to partake in slot machines and table games. Social websites such as Pulsz Slots and Casino grant the ability to enjoy a diverse range of casino-style games purely for entertainment purposes. On the other hand, platforms like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Funzpoints present the opportunity to earn cash prizes based on your gameplay.

Online Poker

Currently, online poker remains illegal in Massachusetts. Furthermore, considering the diminished profits for gambling providers and taxing authorities, the chances of Bay Staters accessing online poker platforms appear slim, especially when compared to the potential introduction of online casinos. However, the topic of online casinos is not currently being discussed.

While waiting, you have the opportunity to explore various social casino options. Several websites allow you to engage in poker games with players from all over the country. One recommended choice for such thrilling experiences is Global Poker, which is affiliated with both Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. Global Poker offers a wide range of options, including No Limit Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Crazy Pineapple, and Pot Limit Omaha High/Low (also known as Eight or Better).

Sports Betting

Massachusetts residents now have the option to place legal sports bets both online and in-person. Currently, there are seven sportsbooks operating in the Bay State, namely DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, WynnBET, Barstool Sportsbook, and Betr.

In the end, the state has the potential to accommodate up to 15 online sports gambling sites, offering a wide range of options and flexibility to users in the Massachusetts sports gambling market.

Besides online betting, individuals can also place bets in person at MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino. These three retail gambling venues provide a diverse range of wagering markets, offering numerous wager types, sports, and leagues for bettors to select from.

Lottery

The Massachusetts Lottery has been offering legal gambling options in the state for quite some time, having sold its inaugural ticket back in 1972. Players are presented with a variety of choices, as there are numerous draw games available, such as Powerball, Mega Millions, and Megabucks. These games consistently offer jackpots surpassing $1 million.

Moreover, for those seeking more localized options, the Numbers Game and Mass Cash are available to play. Additionally, the Massachusetts Lottery offers a wide range of instant win games. However, it is important to note that these games cannot be played online. The lottery commission does provide a lottery app, but it is solely meant for obtaining information and not for online ticket purchases.

Horse Betting

Horse betting is a prevalent form of online gambling found in many states, including Massachusetts. In 2000, federal legislation and an exemption in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 made horse racing betting legal at the federal level, leaving it up to individual states to regulate. Massachusetts, like most other states, allows horse betting within its jurisdiction.

Bay State residents have access to numerous horse betting sites, among which FanDuel Racing stands out as a top choice. This online racebook not only encompasses all the beloved features of FanDuel but also provides excellent horse betting opportunities. Apart from offering a diverse range of wagers, it grants users the chance to stream racing coverage from various parts of the globe. Additionally, new users frequently receive exceptional welcome offers.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Massachusetts holds a strong association with daily fantasy sports (DFS) competitions. DraftKings, a prominent DFS enterprise, originated in Boston and still houses its corporate headquarters in the Back Bay region. Although Massachusetts legalized DFS in 2016, it came as a surprise that the state wasn’t the first to do so. By that time, seven other states had already taken the lead in embracing DFS.

However, the fact is that DFS remains a thriving and accepted pastime in Massachusetts. It is a common activity among its residents, with DraftKings DFS, FanDuel DFS, and several other reputable providers available for players to enjoy.

FAQ

Certainly, to a certain extent. Online sports betting has been deemed legal in Massachusetts and was introduced earlier this year. Moreover, residents have the opportunity to engage in online daily fantasy sports (DFS) competitions. Nevertheless, activities such as online casinos and online poker continue to be considered illegal in Massachusetts.

Indeed, as of March 10, online sports gambling has become operational, while retail sports gambling was introduced in late January. Presently, a total of seven sports gambling applications are accessible. For those preferring to bet in person, individuals can conveniently place their wagers at MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino.

To engage in most gambling activities in Massachusetts, individuals must be at least 21 years old. This age requirement applies to playing at Massachusetts casinos and participating in sports betting. However, there are a couple of exceptions: the lottery and horse betting, for which individuals must be 18 years or older.

The oversight of all gambling activities in Massachusetts, including sports gambling, falls under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). Mass Gaming is responsible for regulating every aspect of gambling within the state, as well as any potential future expansions in the gambling industry.

Sports fans in Massachusetts now have access to a wide range of welcome bonuses and promotions, thanks to the recent introduction of sports betting in the state. However, it’s important to note that these bonuses are primarily available on mobile gambling apps. When deciding to claim any bonus or promotion, it is crucial to carefully read and understand the complete terms and conditions.

There is no requirement for Massachusetts residency or a Massachusetts license to utilize sportsbook apps or visit the physical sports betting facilities in the state. All you need is to meet the age requirement and be physically present within the state borders.

Resources

If you are struggling with gambling addiction in Massachusetts, rest assured that there are numerous resources available to support you at any time of the day. Each minute dedicated to your recovery is a minute saved from the grips of gambling losses.

In Massachusetts, the Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPG) is the starting point for responsible gambling services. As a division of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the OPG offers crisis services for problem gamblers and provides training assistance for those who support them. To explore options for problem gambling treatment, individuals can reach out to the OPG through the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline at (800) 327-5050 or the live chat function on their helpline website. Another resource is the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, which operates its own helpline at (800) 426-1234 and also offers a live chat function on their website.

Massachusetts additionally offers a voluntary self-exclusion program, which allows individuals to exclude themselves from all gambling establishments within the state. By opting to be part of this program, you will be prohibited from engaging in any form of gambling at these venues, and if caught, you may face certain penalties. The duration of your inclusion on the list can vary from six months to an indefinite period. Furthermore, you have the option to apply self-exclusion to mobile betting apps in Massachusetts as well.

The MGM GameSense page is an excellent source that provides state-specific information. Its purpose is to ensure that gambling remains enjoyable by providing helpful tips and information for casino visitors. MGM Springfield in Massachusetts is also committed to promoting responsible gambling, offering assistance for problem gambling both within the casino and on their official website.

There are two Native American tribes in Massachusetts that meet the criteria for being federally recognized entities.

  • Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
  • Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe

Thus far, only the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has taken steps to secure an agreement with the authorities in Boston. In 2007, the tribe obtained federal recognition and promptly designated 321 acres near Taunton as their reservation lands. Out of these 321 acres, 151 were authorized for use as a gambling facility. In April 2016, construction for the First Light Resort and Casino, the fourth casino in Massachusetts, began. However, after nearly seven years, no further progress has been made on the casino’s development. A lengthy legal dispute has been simmering for several years, leaving uncertainty as to when the First Light Resort and Casino will finally open. If these legal challenges persist, the Department of the Interior policy may change again depending on the individual inaugurated on January 20, 2025.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has taken a different approach compared to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in pursuing an agreement with the state. Instead, they have focused on establishing a bingo facility on their tribal lands. However, similar to the Mashpee Tribe, the city government of Aquinnah sued the tribe, arguing that a land agreement from 1983 prohibited them from offering gambling. After a legal battle, the tribe emerged victorious in 2018 and began progressing with their plans. Nevertheless, the town has persistently opposed the project and continued to bring up any possible issues in court, resulting in delays. Despite this, it now seems likely that the tribe will be able to proceed with the venue, albeit with necessary approvals from the authorities.

If you are interested in or require further details about online gambling in Massachusetts, numerous resources are accessible to you. To gather more information, you may explore any of the provided links below:

These are the designated legal gambling locations in the state.

  • Encore Boston Harbor, which falls under Class III gaming.
  • MGM Springfield (Class III)
  • Plainridge Park Casino, also known as Class II gaming facility.
  • Raynham Park (Off-track betting)
  • Suffolk Downs (Off-track betting)