Like multiple other states in the US, online casinos in Massachusetts are one step closer since online gambling is now legal. While real money online gaming remains illegal, the state permits social casinos and sweepstake casinos.
In our guide to Massachusetts online casinos, we examine the current laws, how to play real casino games, and a brief history, among other important details.
Top Guide to the Massachusetts Online Casinos
Offshore online casinos in Massachusetts are illegal and unregulated, so there is no way to ensure gaming fairness, security, and payment reliability. Unlike the best online casinos in other states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, bonuses at Massachusetts online casinos could also offer unfair terms and conditions.
On the bright side, accessing legal online casinos from Massachusetts is easy and close, especially since Connecticut legalized online play, and Rhode Island will also offer top-rated casinos in 2024.
What is Legal in Massachusetts Casinos?
The current gambling law in Massachusetts is similar to many other states in America, starting with pari-mutuel betting in 1934. However, it progressed slower than most, only establishing the Expanded Gambling Act in 2011, which permitted commercial casinos.
Today, Massachusetts has three land-based casinos, one of which only permits slots. The state also legalized daily fantasy sports in 2016, and the latest development allows online sports betting apps since 10 March 2023.
When will Massachusetts Legalize Online Casinos?
Thanks to recent developments, Massachusetts online casinos are well within reach, or so it seems. Legalizing land-based casinos, fantasy sports betting, and online sports betting paves the way to allow online casinos in Massachusetts sooner rather than later.
Of course, the recent legalization of online casinos in Rhode Island and Connecticut motivates lawmakers to legalize MA online casinos even more, ensuring the state can compete instead of residents visiting neighboring states to access bonuses and games online.
Brief Gambling History 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, and in the early 1830s, all remaining forms of gambling, including the lottery, were prohibited.
Almost half a century later, horse and dog racing became legal in the 1930s and a 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.
The important steps towards legalizing other betting and online casinos in Massachusetts date back to the 1970s when the state legalized lottery. Again, for nearly half a century, no major developments took place until 2011 with the regulation of land-based casinos.
As mentioned earlier in our Massachusetts online casino guide, online sports betting was legalized in March 2023, featuring major betting brands that offer excellent casino services in other states, including BetMGM, Caesars Palace, and more.
Best Sweepstake Casinos to Play in Massachusetts
Since Sweepstake online casinos in Massachusetts do not require deposits or provide real money play, they are 100% legal. The great part about these sites is that you can claim rewards and exchange them for cash gifts.
Register with a Sweepstake online casino, play the latest games, and enjoy various challenges and tournaments to claim rewards.
| Rank | Sweepstake Casino | Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Wow Vegas | 5,000 Wow Coins |
| 2. | High 5 Casino | 250 Game Coins, 600 Diamonds, 5 Sweeps |
| 3. | BetRivers.net | Up to 1,000 VC$ Bonus |
| 4. | Gambino Slots | 100,000 Game Coins |
| 5. | Pulsz | 2.3 Sweepstakes + 5,000 Game Coins |
In Which States Is Online Casino Legal?
While online casinos in Massachusetts seem to arrive later than the rest, only six other states have legalized and regulated online sites, and Rhode Island will become the seventh in 2024. Therefore, if lawmakers were to legalize MA online casinos, it could be among the first ten.
Closest Legal State to Massachusetts
Fans of online casinos in Massachusetts have easy access to top-rated online casinos in America. Connecticut would be the closest state with legal online casinos, and in 2024, Rhode Island will also join the options.
While these states offer excellent gaming opportunities, they cannot compare to the wide range of bonuses and slots available at New Jersey and Pennsylvania online casinos. Sure, it’s a much longer drive (around 300 miles), but the variety makes it worth the five-hour journey.
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 a matter of public record.
Online Casinos in Massachusetts Could Arrive Soon
The conditions are lining up perfectly for legal online casinos in Massachusetts, especially since the state now regulates and allows other forms of gambling. Further motivation comes from neighboring states that already allow online gambling.
While no major plans are currently in progress, 2024 would be an important year to see how lawmakers make further adjustments to the legalized gambling sector and remain a competitor for other states in the east.