Online Gambling in Massachusetts (2026)
Massachusetts legalized online sports betting in August 2022, with mobile wagering going live statewide on March 10, 2023. The state’s three licensed casinos — MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino — all operate retail sportsbooks. Online casino gaming (iGaming), including slots and table games, is not currently legal in Massachusetts. No legislation has passed or is confirmed pending as of May 2026.
This guide covers Massachusetts gambling law as of May 2026: what’s legal, who regulates it, which operators are licensed, and where Massachusetts players can access offshore casino platforms.
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Quick Legal Status
| Gambling Type | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Online Casino (iGaming) | ❌ Not legal | — |
| Online Sports Betting | ✅ Legal | March 10, 2023 |
| Online Poker | ❌ Not legal | — |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) | ✅ Legal | Regulated by MGC |
| Land-Based Casinos | ✅ Legal | 2015 (MGM/Encore); 2015 (Plainridge slots) |
| Sweepstakes Casinos | ✅ Legal — 18+ to redeem | — |
| Horse Racing / Pari-Mutuel | ✅ Legal | — |
| Massachusetts Lottery | ✅ Legal | 1972 |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 21 (casino / sports betting) | — |
Legal Overview
What’s Legal
- Online sports betting: Legal statewide since March 10, 2023. Seven licensed operators active as of May 2026. Minimum age: 21.
- Daily fantasy sports (DFS): Legal and regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. DraftKings (founded in Boston) and FanDuel both operate in MA. Minimum age: verify — likely 18 for DFS.
- Land-based casino gaming: Three MGC-licensed facilities open. MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor are full Category 1 casinos. Plainridge Park Casino is a Category 2 slots-only facility. Minimum age: 21.
- Retail sports betting: Available at all three land-based casino properties. Launched January 31, 2023.
- Sweepstakes casinos: No confirmed ban in Massachusetts. Sweepstakes-model platforms are accessible to MA players. Minimum age: 18 to redeem prizes (operator-set).
- State lottery: The Massachusetts State Lottery has operated since 1972 and offers draw games, scratch tickets, and Keno. Minimum age: 18.
- Horse racing / pari-mutuel wagering: Legal in Massachusetts; regulated separately from the MGC.
What’s Not Legal
- Online casino gaming (iGaming): No legislation has authorized licensed online slots, table games, or live dealer games in Massachusetts. The MGC has no iGaming licensing framework as of May 2026.
- Online poker: Massachusetts has no licensed online poker market. Falls under the general iGaming prohibition.
- Unlicensed online sportsbooks: Massachusetts residents may not use sportsbook platforms that are not licensed by the MGC. Licensed operators are the only legal option for online sports wagering.
Key Legislation
| Year | Law / Event | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| November 2011 | Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act (Chapter 194) | Authorized up to three Category 1 resort casinos and one Category 2 slots facility; created the Massachusetts Gaming Commission |
| August 10, 2022 | An Act to Regulate Sports Wagering (H.B. 5164), signed by Governor Charlie Baker | Legalized online and retail sports betting in Massachusetts; authorized the MGC to license operators; directed tax revenue to public education and other funds |
| January 31, 2023 | Retail sports betting launches at licensed casino properties | First legal sports wagers accepted in Massachusetts at land-based sportsbooks |
| March 10, 2023 | Online/mobile sports betting launches statewide | Massachusetts becomes one of the largest mobile betting markets in the US; DraftKings, FanDuel, and others go live simultaneously |
| Early 2024 | WynnBET and Betr exit Massachusetts market | Both operators did not renew their 1-year temporary licenses after launching with the market in March 2023 |
| 2024–2026 | No iGaming legislation passed | Massachusetts has not advanced any online casino legalization bill through the legislature as of May 2026 |
Regulatory Structure
| Body | Role | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) | Primary regulator: licenses and oversees all land-based casinos, online and retail sports wagering, and DFS platforms | massgaming.com |
| MGC — Sports Wagering Division | Licenses and monitors all sports wagering operators; maintains public licensee list | massgaming.com/about/sports-wagering-in-massachusetts/ |
| MGC — PlayWell Program | Responsible gambling education, self-exclusion program, PlayWell Info Centers at all three casinos | playwell.org |
| Massachusetts State Lottery Commission | Operates draw games, scratch-offs, and Keno; separate from the MGC | masslottery.com |
Licensed Sports Betting Operators
Massachusetts does not have a licensed iGaming (online casino) market. For Massachusetts residents seeking online casino-style games, the options are sweepstakes casinos (legal, free-to-play with prize redemption) or offshore platforms that accept MA players.
Seven online sportsbooks are licensed and active as of May 2026. Operators fall into two categories under the MGC licensing framework:
Category 3 Untethered — Online / Mobile Only
| Operator | Launch | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Sportsbook | March 10, 2023 | ✅ Active — licensed |
| FanDuel Sportsbook | March 10, 2023 | ✅ Active — licensed |
| Bally Bet Sportsbook | March 10, 2023 | ✅ Active — licensed |
Previously licensed (did not renew): WynnBET and Betr each received 1-year temporary licenses in February 2023 and exited the Massachusetts market in early 2024 after choosing not to renew.
Category 3 Tethered — Tied to a MA Casino License
| Operator | Casino Partner | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM Sportsbook | MGM Springfield | ✅ Active — confirmed |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Encore Boston Harbor | ✅ Active — confirmed |
| Fanatics Sportsbook | Plainridge Park Casino | ✅ Active — confirmed |
| Penn Sports Interactive | Plainridge Park Casino | ✅ Active — confirmed |
Source: massgaming.com/about/sports-wagering-in-massachusetts/sports-wagering-licensees/ (May 2026). The MGC opened a new notice of intent window in April 2026 for additional operators — additional licenses may be issued later in 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of licensed online operators | 7 confirmed as of May 2026 |
| Legal since (retail) | January 31, 2023 |
| Legal since (online/mobile) | March 10, 2023 |
| Minimum age | 21 |
| Sports betting tax rate | 15% of gross gaming revenue (online); 12.5% (retail) |
| Regulator | Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) |
Land-Based Casinos
Massachusetts has three MGC-licensed gaming facilities. All three operate retail sportsbooks and are tethered to at least one licensed online sports wagering operator.
| Casino | Location | Type | Sports Betting Partner(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGM Springfield | Springfield, MA | Category 1 — full casino (slots, table games, poker) | BetMGM Sportsbook |
| Encore Boston Harbor | Everett, MA (near Boston) | Category 1 — full casino (slots, table games, poker) | Caesars Sportsbook |
| Plainridge Park Casino | Plainville, MA | Category 2 — slots only (no table games, no poker) | Fanatics Sportsbook; Penn Sports Interactive |
Note: Plainridge Park Casino holds a Category 2 gaming license, which authorizes only slot machines (video gaming terminals). It does not offer table games or a poker room. It also serves as a horse racing facility.
There are no tribal casinos in Massachusetts. All gaming venues operate under MGC commercial licenses.
Offshore Online Casinos
Massachusetts has no licensed iGaming market. For Massachusetts residents seeking online casino games — slots, blackjack, roulette, live dealer — no state-licensed platform currently exists. Massachusetts players may access offshore online casinos licensed in international jurisdictions, though these operate outside Massachusetts regulatory oversight.
We strongly recommend sweepstakes casinos as the safest legal alternative for Massachusetts residents. Sweepstakes platforms operate under a promotional model, are free to use, and allow prize redemption — no deposit required. They are accessible to MA players at age 18+.
If you choose to use an offshore platform, MobileCasinoParty reviews several operators that accept Massachusetts players. These platforms are not licensed by the MGC and do not offer Massachusetts consumer protections, state-backed game fairness audits, or access to the Massachusetts self-exclusion program.
| Operator | MA Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada | Likely accepts MA players | Not MGC-licensed; Curaçao-licensed. No MA-specific enforcement action documented. Verify current restricted states list at bovada.lv before use. |
| Wild Casino | Likely accepts MA players | Not MGC-licensed; Panama Gaming Commission. Restricted in NJ; MA not confirmed as restricted. Verify before use. |
| Ignition Casino | Accepts MA players | Restricted states: DE, MD, NV, NJ, NY only. Massachusetts is not restricted. |
| Cafe Casino | Accepts MA players | Restricted states: DE, MD, NV, NJ, NY only. Massachusetts is not restricted. |
| Slots.LV | Accepts MA players | Restricted states: DE, MD, NV, NJ, NY only (plus Quebec, Nova Scotia). Massachusetts is not restricted. |
Offshore platforms operate outside Massachusetts law. Use at your own discretion. MobileCasinoParty recommends using licensed platforms wherever available.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily fantasy sports are legal in Massachusetts and regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission under its Fantasy Sports Wagering framework. DraftKings, which was founded in Boston, and FanDuel are both active in the Massachusetts DFS market.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | ✅ Legal |
| Regulator | Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) |
| Active Operators | DraftKings, FanDuel |
| Minimum Age | Verify — likely 18 (DFS age may differ from sports betting’s 21 minimum; confirm with MGC) |
| Regulatory Reference | massgaming.com/about/sports-wagering-in-massachusetts/fantasy-sports-wagering/ |
DraftKings was founded in Boston in 2012 and Massachusetts is considered one of DraftKings’ home markets. Both DraftKings and FanDuel operate DFS contests alongside their licensed sportsbook products in the state.
Recent Legal Changes 2024–2026
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| Early 2024 | WynnBET and Betr exit: Both operators chose not to renew their 1-year temporary Massachusetts sports betting licenses after launching with the initial market cohort in March 2023. Massachusetts now has 7 confirmed active online sportsbooks. |
| 2024–2026 | No iGaming legislation passed: No online casino legalization bill has cleared the Massachusetts legislature. Massachusetts remains a sports-betting-only licensed online market. |
| April 2026 | MGC opens new operator application window: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission published a notice of intent window open until May 15, 2026, potentially allowing new sports wagering operators to apply for Massachusetts licenses. New entrants may be announced later in 2026. |
| Ongoing 2026 | Monthly revenue reporting continues: The MGC publishes monthly sports wagering revenue reports. Massachusetts has established itself as one of the largest legal sports betting markets in the US by handle. |
MobileCasinoParty does not predict whether or when pending legislation will pass. The information above reflects verified events as of May 2026.
Responsible Gambling
If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, help is available. Massachusetts offers multiple problem gambling resources, including a state-specific helpline and voluntary self-exclusion from all MGC-licensed platforms.
Massachusetts Problem Gambling Resources
| Resource | Phone / Contact | Website | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Gambling Helpline | 1-800-327-5050 | gamblinghelplinema.org | 24/7 |
| MGC Safer Gaming Education Line | 1-800-426-1234 | playwell.org | 24/7 |
| PlayWell Online Chat | — | playwell.org | 24/7 |
Massachusetts Voluntary Self-Exclusion
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission operates a Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) program covering all MGC-licensed casino operators and all licensed sports wagering operators. Exclusion options include Gaming VSE (casino only), Sports Wagering VSE (sportsbooks only), or Dual VSE (both).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program URL | massgaming.com/about/voluntary-self-exclusion/ |
| Phone Enrollment | 1-800-426-1234 (24/7) |
| Duration Options | 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime |
| In-Person Enrollment | PlayWell Info Centers at MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park Casino |
| Remote Enrollment | Available via video appointment; playwell.org online chat |
National Resources
| Organization | Phone | Website | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCPG | 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) | ncpgambling.org | 24/7/365 |
| NCPG Text/Chat | Text 800GAM / ncpgambling.org/chat | — | 24/7/365 |
| Gamblers Anonymous | (909) 931-9056 (office) | gamblersanonymous.org | Meetings vary |
| 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | 988 (call or text) | 988lifeline.org | 24/7/365 |
| SAMHSA | 1-800-662-4357 (HELP) | samhsa.gov | 24/7/365 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online gambling legal in Massachusetts?
Online sports betting is legal in Massachusetts, licensed and regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). Seven operators are licensed as of May 2026, led by DraftKings and FanDuel. Online casino gaming (iGaming) is not legal — no legislation has authorized licensed online slots, table games, or poker in Massachusetts.
Can I play online casino games in Massachusetts?
There are no MGC-licensed online casino platforms in Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents can access sweepstakes casino sites (legal, free-to-play, 18+) or offshore online casinos that accept MA players. Offshore platforms operate outside Massachusetts regulatory oversight. If you prefer the safest legal option, sweepstakes casinos are the recommended choice.
Which sports betting apps are legal in Massachusetts?
Seven online sportsbooks are licensed by the MGC as of May 2026: DraftKings, FanDuel, Bally Bet (untethered), BetMGM (tethered to MGM Springfield), Caesars Sportsbook (tethered to Encore Boston Harbor), Fanatics (tethered to Plainridge Park), and Penn Sports Interactive (tethered to Plainridge Park).
What is the minimum gambling age in Massachusetts?
The minimum age is 21 for casino gambling and online/retail sports betting in Massachusetts. Daily fantasy sports may have a lower age threshold (likely 18) — confirm with the MGC before playing. The Massachusetts Lottery minimum age is 18. Sweepstakes casinos are accessible at 18+ for prize redemption.
Does Massachusetts have legal online poker?
No. Massachusetts has no licensed online poker market as of May 2026. Online poker falls under the general iGaming prohibition. The MGC has no online poker licensing framework, and no multi-state poker compacts apply to Massachusetts.
Are there casinos in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts has three licensed gaming facilities: MGM Springfield (Category 1 full casino, Springfield), Encore Boston Harbor (Category 1 full casino, Everett), and Plainridge Park Casino (Category 2 slots-only, Plainville). All three operate retail sportsbooks. There are no tribal casinos in Massachusetts.
When did sports betting go live in Massachusetts?
Retail sports betting at land-based casino sportsbooks launched on January 31, 2023. Online and mobile sports betting went live statewide on March 10, 2023, following the August 2022 signing of H.B. 5164 (An Act to Regulate Sports Wagering) by Governor Charlie Baker.
How do I self-exclude from gambling in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) program covers all MGC-licensed casino and sports betting operators. Enroll at massgaming.com/about/voluntary-self-exclusion/, by calling 1-800-426-1234 (24/7), in person at PlayWell Info Centers at any of the three casinos, or by video appointment. Duration options: 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or lifetime.
Related Guides
- Responsible Gambling Policy — Support resources and helplines
- Casino Review Process — How we evaluate and rate casinos
- USA Online Casinos — Full state-by-state guide hub
- New Jersey Gambling Guide — Legal iGaming since 2013; MSIGA member; online poker available
- Michigan Gambling Guide — Legal iGaming since 2021; MSIGA member; online poker available
- Pennsylvania Gambling Guide — Legal iGaming since 2019; MSIGA member
- Connecticut Gambling Guide — Legal iGaming since 2021; 2-operator market
- West Virginia Gambling Guide — Legal iGaming since 2020; MSIGA member
- New York Gambling Guide — Sports betting legal; iGaming bill advancing in 2026
- Ohio Gambling Guide — Sports betting legal; online casino not yet legal
- Virginia Gambling Guide — Sports betting legal; online casino not yet legal
- Colorado Gambling Guide — Sports betting legal since May 2020; no iGaming
- Bovada Casino Review — Accepts MA players; not MGC-licensed
- Ignition Casino Review — Accepts MA players; not MGC-licensed
- DraftKings Review — Licensed MA sportsbook; DFS also available
Last verified: 2026-05-19 | Responsible Gambling Policy | How We Review
