Online Gambling Massachusetts

Though neighboring states have legalized online sports betting, Massachusetts has been slow to join in. Currently, sports betting throughout the state is still illegal, but there's recent news. Massachusetts, after stopping and starting for a couple years, may have some momentum behind a bill that would legalize sports wagering in MA online and at some physical sportsbook locations.

The state of Massachusetts does not currently regulate online gambling or license any sportsbooks within the Bay State. Lawmakers have yet to enact any specific laws for or against state-regulated sports gambling meaning that at this time, there are no legal domestic sports wagering opportunities available for MA residents and state visitors. 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 lenient towards players. If you are gambling online and win.

The state does have legal retail casinos for betting, but online casinos are still currently illegal. Sports betting and Massachusetts online sportsbooks are not yet legal. However, there is thought that the need to keep up with surrounding states will push online casinos and sports betting websites to legalize soon.

Additionally, though the majority of online sports betting is illegal, there are several online options. Horse betting, games of skill and DFS is legal in the state and online betting is legal in these cases. So Massachusetts online sports betting does have some precedent.

Massachusetts Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is a new way to play on major league sports teams and players in Massachusetts. Try your sports knowledge skills by playing DFS, on a variety sports events like NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL PGA, MLS, and more.

Most Likely Massachusetts Online Sports Betting Sites

Though we can’t say for sure what the future of Massachusetts online sports betting will look like, we can make some pretty educated inferences. For instance, there are some sports betting websites likely to emerge once legalization does occur. See below for a list of potential Massachusetts online sportsbooks. These examples are all top sports betting sites in other states and are likely to open in Massachusetts for various reasons.

BetMGM

It is no secret that The MGM Springfield Casino has been preparing to open a sportsbook as soon as they’re legally able to. The retail casino was opened in August 2018 and offers 125,000 square feet of gambling glory. It is one of two casinos this size in the state and has already struck up betting partnerships with the NBA and WNBA. BetMGM is one of the top sports betting sites available so it’s likely they would partner with their Massachusetts retail location when sports betting is legalized in the state.

The Springfield Casino has also managed to strike a deal with the international gambling giant GVC Holdings. GVC has a number of well established sportsbooks and it is their infrastructure and expertise that will help BetMGM open smoothly. It’s believed that all of the favorite styles of sports betting will be offered if/when Massachusetts online sports betting is legalized. Here are some likely examples.

• Parlays
• Over/Under
• Prop Betting
• Moneyline
• Straight Wagers

FOX Bet

FOX Bet has had an aggressive approach to rolling out their app in states once they legalize online betting. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker does seem to be on board with legalizing sports betting in the state. So it appears to be only a matter of time before FOX Bet, one of the country’s top sports betting sites, is able to open a Massachusetts online sportsbook. It’s extremely likely that FOX Bet would partner with the established retail casino Plainridge Park.

Plainridge is operated by Penn National which is a large American operator with 43 facilities under its control. A potential partnership with such gambling entity would help establish FOX Bet and allow them to open a partnered sportsbook relatively quickly.

theScore

Like the aforementioned FOX Bet, theScore has some Penn National draw. theScore is already an established app and has forged a partnership with Penn. Since they have this partnership it seems likely that they would open an app in Massachusetts tied to their Plainridge Park Casino.

In other states, theScore offers a 100% bet match of up to $100. A huge perk for new users, this promo has been used in multiple states so it’s likely to be offered as a promo in Massachusetts as well. What’s great about theScore is that it is strictly sports betting, but it also has a sports news media component.

So in addition to betting, you can also see the latest games and scores and form educated opinions. One of it’s draws is that it started as a sports news app and then transitioned to mobile betting. It’s strong background in sports news helps filter the most pertinent information to you directly.

Massachusetts Betting Laws

There are a variety of betting opportunities legal in Massachusetts. Retail casinos are totally legal, but so far online casinos have not been legalized. Additionally, though horse betting is legal, sports betting is still not. Lottery and DFS are legal in the state and there are several available markets for fantasy gaming.

States where you can already place an online sports bet today :

Updated on :

Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Michigan Nevada New Jersey Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia

Massachusetts Online Sports Betting: Events and Betting Markets

An important thing to consider about Massachusetts online sports betting getting legalized is what types of bets you’ll be making. Here are some popular varieties of betting options to choose from. From types of bets to popular events, there’s quite a few possibilities.

Online Gambling Massachusetts

Common Types of Bets

• Moneyline Bets - A moneyline bet is probably the simplest kind of bet you can make. Unlike betting on a point spread, moneyline betting is simply a bet about who will win.
• Over/Under Betting - This style of betting involves a predicted statistic from a Sportsbook. You will simply bet on whether you believe the actual outcome of the game will be over or under the predicted amount.
• Point Spread - Betting on a point spread gives bettors a bit more leeway because it’s based on how accurate your prediction is, not just whether the team wins or loses. A point spread can give bettors a reason to bet on their favorite teams regardless of whether or not they are favored to win.
• Futures Bets - Futures bets are a great option if your bet is far into the future and you are worried about the possibility of changing odds. The odds of your futures bet will stay fixed at where they are when you make it. So even if the odds change throughout the season leading up to your event, your bet will not change. Meaning if you bet with 7:1 odds in your favor, you will be paid out 7:1 if your team wins.
• Proposition Bets - A prop bet is a bet on any occurrence or non occurrence of an event during a game. This type of bet is non dependent on the outcome of the actual game. Some examples include a bet whether there will be an overtime? Or will the total number of points be odd or even? With prop bets, the possibilities can be quite endless.

Most Popular Sports to Bet On

• NFL - Football is definitely one of the more popular options for online sports betting. With a ton of spectators throughout the country, the Super Bowl is one of the more popular betting events in existence.
• NBA/WNBA - Professional basketball includes a very popular sporting event - the NBA Finals. In addition to the Playoffs, the NBA Finals offer some great betting opportunities for sports fans.
• College Basketball - March Madness is a very popular collegiate basketball tournament for sports bettors.
• NHL - Hockey is another popular sports betting industry. With its culminating sporting event; the Stanley Cup, there are a ton of big league opportunities for betting in hockey. Additionally, hockey is particularly big in Massachusetts.
• MLB - Baseball is also a big betting industry. The World Series offers a multi-event betting opportunity for sports fans.
• Soccer and The World Cup - Soccer is a super international sport. It raises the sports betting expectations and allows bettors to involve a much larger market.

Popular Massachusetts Events

• Grand Prix of Gloucester - generally taking place in early October, the Grand Prix of Gloucester is a popular bicycling event.
• Red Sox Opening Day - usually held in April at the start of the season, the Red Sox opening day is a popular sporting event throughout the state.
• Head Of The Charles Regatta - this is a two day multi-event rowing race. Extremely popular in the state, this race has 61 separate events and is typically held in October.

Best Teams to Bet On

There are a number of popular Massachusetts sporting teams that range from baseball to basketball to hockey. They would be great options to bet on once Massachusetts online sports betting is legalized. Check out the following teams.

• Boston Celtics
• Boston Red Sox
• Boston Bruins
• New England Patriots
• New England Revolution

Common Payment Options

There are a variety of payment options generally offered at sports betting websites. Here is a list of potential possible payment methods to be offered once Massachusetts online sports betting is legalized.

• Credit/Debit Cards
• Cash at a casino or affiliated partner
• ACH/Wire
• Paypal
• Check

Massachusetts Casinos

There are a few Massachusetts casinos to choose from. Though there aren’t a lot of options to choose from, these casinos are pretty impressive.

Plainridge Park Casino

Just 40 minutes from Boston, the Plainridge Park Casino offers a ton of different betting opportunities. Located in Plainville, Massachusetts and owned by Penn National, Plainridge Casino has a horse racing track, over 1200 slots and great dining and entertainment. If and when Massachusetts online sports betting is legalized, Plainridge will have plenty of online partnerships to choose from.

MGM Springfield

Located in Springfield, MA, the MGM Springfield offers 125,000 square feet of betting wonder. With plenty of casino games and restaurants to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Massachusetts online sports betting will have a great base with this casino.

Encore Boston Harbor - Everett

Located in Everett, Massachusetts, the Encore Boston Harbor was opened in 2019. Featuring 15 bars & restaurants, the Encore Boston has a variety of slot machines and casino games to choose from. The Encore also hosts a surprising amount of art, including a 2,000 pound Jeff Koons sculpture of Popeye purchased for $28.2 million.

MA Online Sports Betting FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Massachusetts online sports betting.

Is sports betting sites legal in the United States?

Online sports betting varies from state to state. Federally, the government has removed restrictions. However, it is still up to individual states to determine their position on online sports betting. Massachusetts online sports betting is still currently illegal. However, it seems very likely the state will legalize in the coming year.

Despite that, there are still methods of online betting available to Massachusetts residents. Online horse betting is legal in the state as is betting on games of skill or DFS. There are great hopes for Massachusetts online sports betting to be legalized in the near future.

What do I need to register at an online betting site in Massachusetts?

Once Massachusetts online sports betting is fully legalized, all you will need to register is some personal information. Currently, there are some horse betting and DFS sites that require bettors to enter name, address and deposit/withdrawal information. It’s assumed that when Massachusetts online sports betting is legalized, the rules will be the same.

Is it safe to deposit money at sports betting sites in Massachusetts?

Yes. As long as you use an accredited site. Sites like TVG and BetAmerica are respected and verified online betting sources. Make sure you do your research on whether the site you’ll be using is first of all; legal and also secure. Generally speaking, if it’s legal and regulated, it’s also secure.

Can I set betting limits?

Yes! Though this varies from site to site, generally most online betting has their own daily limits for deposit and withdrawal. Additionally, most offer the opportunity to set your own personal limits be it by a daily, weekly or monthly amount.

Final Thoughts on Betting in Massachusetts

Massachusetts online sports betting is still currently illegal. With exceptions for horse betting, games of skill and DFS, Massachusetts is working out their legalities with the 2018 PASPA repeal. However, with the amount of surrounding states that have been legalizing sports betting, it is only a matter of time for Massachusetts.

Massachusetts online sports betting already has a great foundation in the state. Between popular sports teams and events as well as retail partnership opportunities, Massachusetts online sports betting is definitely a future possibility. So make sure to do your research so you’re ready when Massachusetts online sports betting is legalized.

Unlike the majority of states in America, it's hard to say where exactly Massachusetts stands when it comes to gambling.

Technically, online casinos are not allowed to operate in the state, yet there is no set law against them.

However, residents of the Bay State are permitted to gamble at land-based casinos as well as place wagers on horse races. There's also a state lottery, and charitable gaming allowed.

The legality of gambling has always been somewhat of a question mark in Massachusetts. However, the industry is growing with multiple new casino resorts opening over the past fewyears.

Could online casinos see the day where they can operate legally in MA? What are residents meant to do for their gaming needs in the meantime?

Let's take a look.

OnlineCasinos in Massachusetts

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 lenient towards players.

If you are gambling online and win $5+, you could be fined twice of what you won. The same applies for if you lose $5 or more.

This means technically if you can keep it under $5, you shouldn't find yourself in any trouble with the law.

Massachusetts is more interested in legalizing online sports betting, but hopefully, online casinos will follow shortly after.

Land-Based Casinos in Massachusetts

Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill in late 2011 that legalized casinos in Massachusetts.

The law allowed three casinos in three different geographic regions, plus one slot parlor.

That slot parlor, Plainridge Park Casino, is a harness racing track located about 40 miles southwest of Boston and opened on June 24, 2015.

Gaming regulations for Massachusetts casinos require a minimum payback of 80% on all gaming machines. The payback percentages for slot machines at all casinos in Massachusetts are released as amatter of public record. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for allMassachusetts casinos.

NOTE: If you happen to win a jackpot of $600 or more in Massachusetts, the casino will withhold 5% and send it to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

You may, however, be able to get some of that money refunded by filing a state income tax return.

The $600 threshold also applies to any cash prizes won in casino drawings or tournaments, as well as the fair market value of non-cash prizes such as cars, houses, and trips.

Types of Casinos in Massachusetts

The first resort-casino license in Region B (Western Massachusetts) was awarded to MGM Resorts and their $1.3 billion casino - MGM Springfield - opened in late 2018.

The second license for Region A (Eastern Massachusetts) was awarded to Wynn Resorts and the $2 billion Encore Boston Harbor opened in 2019.

The Encore Casino is the closest casino to Boston.

The final license for Region C (Southeastern Massachusetts) had not yet been awarded as of 2020.

Indian Casinos

There are two tribes in Massachusetts currently battling the government for the right to build a casino on their land.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is planning to build a destination resort casino near Taunton. That facility, First Light Casino, was expected to open by early 2019.

However, the project has been hampered by lawsuits that have stopped it from being completed.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) also had plans to open a casino in an old community center back in 2013 which was stopped due to the state claiming the tribe had given up theirland in 1993.

The Aquinnah fought back by saying the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act had overseen this and ended up winning the battle in 2018.

Both tribes are still in the planning process for the gaming venues.

Pari-Mutuel Betting

Horse racing is one of the oldest forms of legal gambling in Massachusetts.

Dog racing was legal from the 1930s up until 2010 when the Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act deemed it illegal.

Today, there is only one horse race track that accepts pari-mutuel wagering in MA; Plainridge Racecourse. Residents can go watch live horse races from April to November.

The other tracks, Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs, offer simulcast wagering on races.

List Of Land-Based Casinos In Massachusetts

Click on any of the casinos listed below to learn more about each.

Encore Boston Harbor

• 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
• 1 857-770-7000
• Games: Slot Machines, Table Games (blackjack, roulette, craps, poker), High Limit

First Light Resort & Casino

Not Open

Horizon's Edge Casino Cruises - Massachusetts

Permanently Closed

MGM Springfield

• One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103
• 1 413-273-5000
• Games: Slot machines, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Pai Gow, three card poker, four card poker, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, War, Big 6, Let It Ride, and Spanish 21

Plainridge Park Casino

• 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762
• 1 508-576-4500
• Games: Electronic Machines

Massachusetts Land-Based Casinos Map

You can easily see all casino locations by using our Massachusetts casinos map. To zoom in, just click the + (plus) sign in the lower right corner of the map, or to zoom out, just click the –(minus) sign in the same area.

To move the map of casinos in Massachusetts, click and hold down either of your mouse buttons. Then use the hand icon to drag the map in whichever direction you desire.

Each of the red icons on the map is a casino location. Just click on any red icon to see the name of the casino at that location. If you want more information on that casino, simply click againon the casino’s name and it will direct you to another page with detailed information on that particular casino, including address, phone number, toll-free phone number, room rates, casinosize, dining information, games offered, availability of discounts for seniors, any special features, and a direct link to that casino’s website.

History of Gambling in Massachusetts

Gambling has been around in Massachusetts longer than it's even been a state.

However, it was deemed illegal fairly early on, with games of chance and gaming tables first to go in 1788.

In the early 1830s, all remaining forms of gambling were prohibited, including the lottery.

It wasn't until over a century later in the 1970s that the lottery was legal again.

Horse and dog racing became legal in the 1930s and became a very popular form of gambling in MA. Across the country, MA was the hotspot for greyhound racing for a long time.

By 2009, The Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act had banned dog races and wagering on them in the state.

Massachusetts has always been very slow when it came to regulating gambling in the state, and only really began to build the industry in 2011.

Gambling In Massachusetts

This is the year casinos were legalized, allowing three resorts and one slot parlor to operate.

There used to be river casino boats before land-based gambling was legal, but that stopped shortly after the new laws were put in place.

Massachusetts Gambling Laws and Regulatory Organizations

Recently, the gambling laws in Massachusetts have changed to allow potential expansion of the industry in the state.

Thanks to the Expanded Gambling Act that was passed in 2011, casinos were allowed to open and offer slots and video poker machines, as well as table games. Since live dealer games weren'tallowed at the time, all of the games where played on game machines.

Two Indian tribes are also still in the process of planning and constructing their own facilities.

You must be at least 18 years old to wager on horse races, play bingo, and participate in the lottery. Casinos require patrons to be at least 21 years of age.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) oversees all forms of gambling in the state.

This includes:

• Casino gambling
• Pari-mutuel betting
• Lottery
• Raffles/Charitable games

The MGC is responsible for a number of services, like licensing for operators and employees and enforcing the regulations they have put in place.

To read more about the MGC and what they do, clickhere.

Gambling in Massachusetts Today

Online Gambling Sites In Massachusetts

In Massachusetts today, there is a great possibility of the gambling industry growing even more. Advocates are trying to push the legalization of sports betting, and are very close towinning.

Can You Gamble Online In Massachusetts

If sports betting was legalized in MA, this would open the door to online gambling and potentially include online casinos.

For now, MA does offer a few land-based casinos and racetracks. In time, this number should grow as well, especially once sports betting is deemed legal in the state.

Fun Facts

Did you know?

Online Casino Massachusetts

The Encore Boston is currently the largest casino in Massachusetts, with 2800 game machines! However, Project First Light Resort & Casino could take this title once it opens, with over3000 gaming options expected to be available.

Online Gambling Massachusetts Legal

Useful Resources

Massachusetts Online Gambling Legal

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