Gambling Laws in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to various legal gambling activities, including the state lottery, casinos and sports betting. Most forms of online gambling, however, are still unregulated.

What Type of Gambling is Legally Permitted in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts General Laws and the Code of Massachusetts Regulations outline the state's legal stance regarding gambling. Regulations like many other states, stick to the notion that gambling is illegal unless otherwise explicitly permitted.

Massachusetts has numerous legal forms of gambling, but many online activities are still unregulated. 

Playing at Landbased and Online Casinos

Casino gambling is legal in Massachusetts, with the state home to 3 casinos: MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino and Encore Boston Harbor. A 4th casino licence was set aside for the Mashpee tribe, which planned to build a large casino on tribal land, but due to legal complications plans were halted.

Online casino gambling is unregulated, with current laws not mentioning the activity at all. This doesn't stop offshore and out-of-state online gambling sites from accepting players from Massachusetts though. Whilst it's illegal, prosecution against individuals has never been pursued.

Poker Gambling

Poker gambling is legal, with 2 and 3 casinos providing games in their poker rooms. However, neither these venues nor any other operator can operate online poker sites, which are considered illegal. Home-based poker games are allowed if there is no profit beyond player winnings.

Bingo

Playing bingo for money is legal in Massachusetts, but only games operated by charitable organisations are allowed.

Enjoying bingo casinos online is a big no-no and is considered illegal by the state.

Purchasing Lottery Tickets

Lottery gambling is legal with the Massachusetts Lottery providing residents with numerous ways to play the popular numbers game. Bay Staters can buy tickets for various draw-based games such as Powerball and Mega Millions, pull-tab games, keno and instant win games.

Online lottery gambling is not permitted, with the Massachusetts Lottery website available for informational purposes only. Residents can quite easily find lottery casino sites online that will accept them as members, with little chance of being prosecuted for this.

Social Gambling and Playing at Crypto Casinos

Social games played within private residences are permitted as long as no commercial profiting is involved. Lootboxes and skins gambling are still hotly debated, with these activities currently unregulated in Massachusetts.

The Bay State is quite permissive when it comes to allowing the operation of cryptocurrency exchanges within its borders. However, no gambling venues currently accept virtual coins as payment. Residents still play online casino games with Bitcoin or altcoins at the various available crypto-gambling sites, even though this is illegal.

Massachusetts Sports Betting Laws

Both offline and online sports betting are legal, with the state's first sportsbook opening in January 2023. Online sports betting was launched in March of the same year.

Daily fantasy sports are legal and very popular in Massachusetts because it is the home state of top provider DraftKings. Legislation permitting gambling activity was passed in 2016, with DFS contests offered by sites including FanDuel and Fantasy Draft.

Parimutuel betting on horse racing is also legal, but the sport has somewhat slumped in the state.

Gambling Age Restrictions

The Massachusetts gambling age is 18 years old for bingo, lottery and parimutuel betting, but residents must be at least 21 to play casino games or bet on sports.

Tax Regulations on Gambling in Massachusetts

Massachusetts gambling tax regulation requires operators to pay taxes depending on the services they offer. Casinos are charged 25% of their gross gaming revenue, while slot halls are charged 49% tax. Sports betting operators are charged 15% to 20% tax on gross sports wagering revenue.

Residents of Massachusetts are charged a 15% tax on any gambling winnings alongside other income on the state level, and a 24% tax is withheld on the federal level.

History of Gambling Laws in Massachusetts

The earliest record of gambling laws in Massachusetts dates back to 1719 when lotteries were banned. The state's first public lottery was launched in 1745, but another ban was implemented in 1833, which held fast for over 100 years.

Parimutuel horse and dog race betting were legalised in 1934 and the Massachusetts Lottery was launched in 1971.

The Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 was formulated which allowed land-based casinos to operate in the state.

Daily fantasy sports contests were legalised in 2016, with both online and offline sports betting made legal in 2023.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is legal in Massachusetts, with the state home to 3 casinos.

• Online casino gambling is unregulated.

• Poker gambling is legal, with 2 of the three casinos offering games.

• Online poker gambling is unregulated.

• Bingo gambling is legal, but only charitable organisations may run games.

• Online bingo gambling is unregulated in Massachusetts.

• Lottery gambling is legal via the Massachusetts Lottery, but online ticket sales are prohibited.

• Both offline and online sports betting are legal.

• Daily fantasy sports contests are legal in Massachusetts.