Guide to Online Casinos in Massachusetts: The Best Massachusetts Casino Sites for 2024
By John Isaac,Editor at online-gambling.com
John Isaac
Editor at online-gambling.com
| Online Casinos | Legal Since: |
|---|---|
| Online Slots | Illegal |
| Online Roulette | Illegal |
| Online Blackjack | Illegal |
| Live Casino | Illegal |
Massachusetts has historically taken a hard stance against gambling. In 2011 casinos were finally legally permitted in the state. A law passed in 2011 legalized construction of three casinos and a slot machine parlor. There are currently only two casinos open with the third due to open in late 2019. There is no Massachusetts online casino available and it is very unlikely that one will come into place. The land based casinos are proving to be popular with over $410 million in taxes raised since opening.
- As having the latest and most accurate information is key in our field of work, we put the emphasis on using only trusted sources such as the Mass Live and the The Boston Globe.
- Our area of expertise is not confined to sports betting, but spreads across the whole field of online gambling. To help players we have created casino guides for slots, online roulette and other games.
- We keep on top of any changes to the law by closely following the movements of the American Gaming Association and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Available Casino Games in Massachusetts
While there are only two casinos currently open, they offer excellent gaming variety slot machines, blackjack, roulette, mini-baccarat, craps and many variations of poker.
- Roulette – Players bet on which pocket of the wheel the ball is going to land in.
- Blackjack – Beat the house by getting a card hand with a value closer to 21.
- Craps – A game in which gamblers wager on the result of a dice roll.
- Slots – Players spin the reels and win if the right combination of symbols is displayed.
- Poker – A game of cards where the participants play against each other or the house.
Biggest Massachusetts Casinos
There are two casinos in Massachusetts, Encore Boston Harbor and the MGM Springfield. Both casinos offer a huge range of slot machines, over 100 table games and the Encore holds a dedicated poker room with 74 tables. If table games are not the desired game, there is the Plainridge Park Casino. Plainridge only holds slot machines and electronic table games.
- MGM Springfield – 1 MGM Way, Springfield
- Encore Boston Harbor – 1 Horizon Way, Everett
- Plainridge Park Casino – 301 Washington St. Plainville
History of Casino Gambling in Massachusetts
To be completely honest, there isn’t much in terms of the history of gambling in Massachusetts. The puritan roots of the state have always held an anti gambling stance, but in 2011 a law was passed to allow three casinos to be built. Two of which have been built and one is still in planning stages and facing a legal battle. In the late 1990’s, there were a few casino cruises established that operated outside of state boundaries. These do not seem to still be active.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Massachusetts adopted their first state lottery. |
| 1998 | Casino cruises take place in Massachusetts, gamers are taken across state lines into federal waters where state law does not apply. Gambling was able to take place, this method is frowned upon and operates in a gray area of the law. |
| 2008 | An attempt to legalize casino gambling fails |
| 2011 | The Governor for Massachusetts signs into law the legalization of casinos. |
| 2013 | The first licenses are obtained and work is underway to open the casinos as soon as possible.
Plainridge racetrack introduces slot machines and becomes Plainridge Park Casino. |
| 2018 | MGM Springfield opens its doors as the first casino with live table games. |
| 2019 | Encore Boston Harbor becomes the second casino in the state.
A third casino is due to open in late 2019, legal battles are still ongoing and the project may be halted completely. |
Casino Gambling Age in Massachusetts
The minimum age in Massachusetts is 21 years old. Minors are not allowed in any area of the casino that has gambling. As the casinos have hotel rooms and boast a wide variety of entertainment, there will be minors around the casino. Minors if caught in a gaming area, will face fines and potentially prosecution. The parents may also face penalties. There are also potential fines or penalties for the casino and the staff.
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Online Casino AgeLegal age for Casino gambling in Massachusetts is 21 years old.
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Alcohol AgeThe legal drinking age in Massachusetts is 21 years old.
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Weed AgeRecreational cannabis is legal in Massachusetts and the minimum age is 21 years old
Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention
Massachusetts has helplines, counsellors and training available for problem gambling. They offer self-exclusion programs which can ban a gambler from all casinos in the state. They have also began an innovative approach to educate gamblers, offering tips and advice on responsible gaming, engaging tools and referrals to reduce harm. There are GameSense centers at both the current casinos. They have also introduced a PlayMyWay scheme at Plainridge Park Casino, which allows a budget to be set to ensure overspending is not an issue. There are also gamblers anonymous meetings available for those who wish to partake in group therapy sessions.
Can I Play Without Deposit?
As we already mentioned, there are no online casinos in Massachusetts which also means that there are no opportunities to play without a deposit. That being said, many sites outside the state tend to offer players the opportunity to experience the games on their websites without depositing any real cash. In such cases players can try out the game with a preset amount of bonus money. Depending on the venue’s terms and conditions it may be possible to withdraw any winnings, however wagering requirements are most likely going to apply.
Upcoming Casino Regulation and Expected Changes
Massachusetts is very new to the casino industry, initial figures are suggesting that the revenue is not as high as expected. The casinos believe there will be a three year settling period while the state gets used to the new gambling opportunities. There are no plans as yet to increase the number of casinos. The number could be expected to rise if the revenue figures begin to increase. There is no sign of an online casino being made legal in the state, if there are any changes to this we will be sure to keep you updated.
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