Gambling in Massachusetts
Although Massachusetts gambling has not historically been a selling point of the state, players can still enjoy a few Massachusetts casinos with some great facilities in the Bay State.
Top Gambling Cities in Massachusetts
Springfield and Boston are the cities that host the major casinos in Massachusetts. It is difficult for other venues to muscle in on the scene given the strict legal restrictions on registered establishments.
The Best Casinos in Massachusetts
The racetrack, Plainridge Park, took advantage of the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act and became the first of the casinos in Massachusetts with slot machines when it opened as the Plainridge Park Casino in 2015. Today you can still enjoy the harness racing, play the slots and enjoy virtual table games.
The MGM Springfield followed in 2018 and was officially the first Massachusetts Casino to offer live table games. This was soon followed by the opening of the Encore Boston Harbor the following year.
Covering three blocks in the center, the MGM made Springfield the first casino city in Massachusetts. The gaming floor boasts hundreds of slots and table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and poker.
The latest kid on the block is the Encore Boston Harbor located in the north of Boston, making it the second gambling city in Massachusetts. In the luxurious surroundings of the Encore, players enjoy views of the Mystic River and get to play a selection of more than 3,000 slots and sit at one of 144 tables offering the full range of favorite games, including 88 high-end poker tables in the Poker Room.
State of Online Gambling in Massachusetts
Players often ask, "Is online gambling legal in Massachusetts?" The simple answer is no; if you are looking for an online casino, Massachusetts does not offer any regulated opportunities.
A few states offer online gambling, but you must play within those states. If you want to play at a real money online casino Massachusetts has no regulated operators.
Online Poker
Online poker is not legal in Massachusetts, and as with online casinos, there are no plans from the legislature to change this situation. The state has been quite conservative over the years when it comes to legislation opening up legal gaming, and their concerns over responsible gaming mean that it is unlikely that the gaming landscape is about to undergo a radical overhaul any time soon.
Massachusetts Sports Betting Online
At the current time, online betting sites are not legal in Massachusetts. However, as mentioned above in terms of legal sports betting Massachusetts could be about to undergo a radical change. The Sports Betting Bill is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.
He is a big supporter of the new law, so this should just be a formality. He introduced his own bill in 2019 soon after the Supreme Court cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting.
Is Offline Sports Betting Legal in Massachusetts?
At the moment, sports betting is technically not legal in the Bay State, but this is all about to change. In the summer of 2022, the state legislature approved the Sport Betting Bill, which has been three years in the making. Governor Charlie Baker, a long-time supporter of the proposal, is expected to sign the bill soon.
It is expected there will be a few months’ delay before players get the chance to take part in this activity, even though it is four years since the Supreme Court decided that states could legislate for approved sports betting.
Casinos in the state have been told that in-person betting will take place before players have the chance to gamble online, but this has not dampened their enthusiasm for the project, which brings the Bay State in line with many other states that have moved quicker to take advantage of the Supreme Court ruling.
College sports were a sticking point in Massachusetts, and the compromise means restriction. Betting on local teams is prohibited unless they are taking part in a tournament, and bets in real time on college games are banned.
The new legislation is designed to solve problems that may arise from gambling addiction.
The two casinos in the state that have been authorized to run a book are excited about the options and expect to be able to offer a full service, including online options by next year’s Super Bowl.
The bill was supported by the major sports franchises in the state, and existing sports book providers are also keeping a close eye on developments.
In terms of taxation, brick-and-mortar establishments will pay a 15% levy, while online operators will pay 5% more.
Tribal Gaming in Massachusetts
There are two tribes currently considering their options to build casinos on parts of their lands that have been transferred into a trust for the purpose. In December 2021, the federal government transferred an area measuring 321 acres held by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe into a trust with a view to building a casino.
This plan has, however, hit legal challenges from residents of Taunton, which borders the site. Opponents of the plan claim that the tribe does not meet the requirements of a reservation under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act. A similar lawsuit failed in 2016, and at the moment, the plans for a casino are on hold.
Meanwhile, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has also suffered setbacks on their plans for the Aquinnah Cliffs Casino in Martha’s Vineyard.
Massachusetts Casino FAQs
What is the legal gambling age in Massachusetts?
Lottery players need to be over 18 years old, while anyone entering a casino has to be over 21. This is in line with most other states where gaming is legal. It is very unlikely that there will be any changes to these age levels any time soon.
Is online gambling legal in Massachusetts?
No, online gaming is currently not regulated in the Bay State. Neighboring states do offer some online gambling sites, but players must be based in those states to take advantage of these opportunities. However, new legislation is about to be confirmed to allow sports betting in Massachusetts, and casinos expect online sports betting to be in place by 2023.
What is the most popular casino in Massachusetts?
The two major regulated casinos in Springfield and Boston are both very popular and well-equipped venues. The MGM in Springfield was the first on the scene offering table games for the first time in the state when its doors opened in 2018. The following year, the Encore Boston Harbor got its license and upped the stakes with a dedicated poker room and luxury rooms overlooking the Mystic River.
Does Massachusetts tax gambling winnings?
Gambling and lottery winnings are taxed if you are a part-year resident, and non-residents are also taxed. All Massachusetts residents must declare winnings wherever they are made as a part of their gross income.
When did Massachusetts legalize gambling?
The Massachusetts State Lottery was launched in 1971 and became the first kind of gambling available in the state, unless you look back to the 1700s. Since its inception, the lottery has raised $27 billion for state funds. Then, in 2011, the Expanded Gaming Act opened the door for casinos to operate, but the legislature kept a tight rein on gaming, restricting the number of establishments that could open in the Commonwealth.
What is the legal gambling age in Massachusetts?
Players aged 18+ can play the state lottery, but anyone wishing to visit a casino in the state must be over 21.