Massachusetts Online Gambling
Massachusetts has methodically expanded its legal gambling industry in recent years, culminating in the 2023 launch of online sports betting.
Other Massachusetts online gambling options include daily fantasy sports and horse racing wagering. Online casinos and poker sites remain illegal, but sweepstakes casinos serve as an unregulated alternative.
The Massachusetts online gambling market is also primed for additional expansion. Lawmakers continue to discuss legalizing online casinos, and the state lottery is working toward a 2026 iLottery launch.
Continue below for a comprehensive Massachusetts online gambling primer. This page explains which forms of online gambling are legal, the key rules players need to know, and how to get help if gambling becomes a problem.
Legal Massachusetts Gambling Sites
21+ and present in MA. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMa.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support. Play it smart from the start! GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234.
Massachusetts Online Gambling Overview
| Type of Gambling (minimum age) | Legal Status | Notes |
| Online Casinos (n/a) | Illegal | Prohibited under M.G.L. c. 271 |
| Sweepstakes Casinos (18+) | Legal/Unregulated | Legal gray area; neither prohibited nor authorized |
| Online Poker (n/a) | Illegal | Classified as online gambling; prohibited |
| Online Sports Betting (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under M.G.L. c. 23N; multiple licensed operators |
| Daily Fantasy Sports (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under M.G.L. c. 12 § 11m1/2; Regulated by 940 CMR 34.00 |
| Fantasy Pick’em Contests (21+) | Legal/Regulated | Player-vs-house formats deemed sports wagering by AG; some operators adapted to peer-to-peer |
| Online Lottery Sales (18+) | Legal; Launches 2026* | Authorized in FY25 budget; Lottery targets April 2026 |
| Online Horse Racing (18+) | Legal/Regulated | Authorized under M.G.L. c 128a §5c |
*Lottery director’s projected timeline; subject to change
Massachusetts Online Casinos
Online casinos are illegal in Massachusetts.
The state’s criminal code broadly outlaws unlicensed games of chance played for money, a statute that includes online casinos.
Although the law does not specifically target players, it prevents reputable operators from serving the Massachusetts online gambling market.
Until state law changes, sweepstakes casinos remain the next-closest alternative for Massachusetts residents.
Legalization Outlook
There’s growing support for legalizing online casinos in the legislature, but concerns about the potential adverse side effects remain persistent hurdles.
In 2025, lawmakers considered a pair of bills (S 235 and H 332) to legalize, regulate, and tax online casinos in Massachusetts. If approved, the bills would:
- Allow each of Massachusetts’ land-based casinos to launch up to two online gambling platforms in partnership with third-party online casino brands like FanDuel Casino and BetMGM Casino
- Authorize up to four untethered online casino licenses for qualified online gambling brands
- Implement a $5 million licensing fee and a 20% tax on AGR
Early discussions surrounding the bills replayed many of the same points lawmakers have debated nearly every legislative session for the past few years.
- Proponents: Legal Massachusetts online casinos could generate nearly $300 million in new tax revenue for the state, if not more. Plus, legalization would finally implement the consumer protection and responsible gambling guidelines that illegal offshore casinos currently lack.
- Opponents: Labor unions and some lawmakers point to the potential negative impacts, like revenue cannibalization leading to job losses and increased gambling addiction, as serious risks.
Although opposition remains strong, the Massachusetts legislature considers bills to legalize online casinos nearly every year. That fact alone points to legalization occurring sooner or later.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Massachusetts
Sweepstakes casino sites operate in a legal gray area in Massachusetts, but are generally tolerated as of today.
Nearly all major sweepstakes casino brands, including WOW Vegas, McLuck Casino, and Mega Bonanza, accept Massachusetts customers. Each is a reputable but unregulated option that operates under US sweepstakes laws to distinguish itself from real-money gambling.
Specifically, all reputable sweepstakes casinos in Massachusetts operate on a “no purchase necessary” model to sidestep state and federal laws that generally define gambling as “risking something of value on games of chance.”
Looming Regulatory Threats
Massachusetts law may not explicitly criminalize sweepstakes casinos, but they face regulatory uncertainty for several reasons:
- Similarity to Illegal Gambling: Sweepstakes casinos closely resemble online gambling, prompting regulators in other states to successfully force operators out via cease-and-desist orders, accusing them of offering unauthorized gambling.
- MA Sweepstakes Regulations: Massachusetts authorities could invoke 940 CMR 30.05, which prohibits sweepstakes promotions whose primary purpose is gambling, to take enforcement action against sweepstakes casinos.
- Prospect of Legalization: If a bill to legalize online casinos in Massachusetts gains momentum, the state will be incentivized to crack down on unregulated alternatives in order to protect the significant tax and licensing revenue it expects from authorized operators.
Massachusetts Online Poker
Online poker is illegal in Massachusetts.
Real-money poker sites fall under the same prohibitions as other online casino games under M.G.L. c. 271.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission provides no regulatory oversight over online poker, so players who use unauthorized offshore poker sites do so at their own risk.
However, past Massachusetts online gambling bills would have authorized poker alongside other casino games, so legalization remains plausible. Until then, sweepstakes poker sites remain the closest alternative.
Massachusetts Online Sports Betting
Online sportsbooks are legal and regulated in Massachusetts.
Governor Charlie Baker signed H 5164 into law on August 10, 2022, to legalize retail sportsbooks and online sports betting in Massachusetts.
The first Massachusetts sportsbooks opened in January 2023, followed by the state’s first betting apps in March.
Popular Massachusetts sports betting apps include:
CMR Title 205 outlines the key rules bettors need to know:
- Minimum age: You must be 21+ to bet online in Massachusetts
- Required Account Info: Online sportsbooks must collect your name, address, date of birth, SSN, and phone number to verify your age and identity
- Deposits: Online sportsbooks cannot accept credit card deposits; all other standard funding methods are permitted
- Withdrawals: Online sportsbooks must honor withdrawal requests within five business days (exception for investigations into fraud or violations of state law)
- College Restrictions: No bets on games involving Massachusetts colleges (exception for tournaments like March Madness); no prop bets on the performance of any individual college athlete
Massachusetts Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily fantasy sports are legal and regulated in Massachusetts.
Fantasy sports sites operate under consumer protection regulations issued by the Attorney General in 2016. The 2022 sports wagering law clarified that DFS contests are games of skill and exempt from state gambling laws but left the 2016-era regulations intact.
Under 940 CMR 34.00, DFS operators must:
- Register with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission
- Pay a 15% tax on revenue
- Restrict anyone under 21 from participating
The regulations also emphasize fairness by prohibiting scripts, restricting insiders with nonpublic information from participating in DFS contests, segregating customers’ funds from operating funds, and honoring withdrawal requests promptly.
Fantasy Pick’em Contests in Massachusetts
Player vs. house fantasy pick’em contests are illegal in Massachusetts, but peer-to-peer variants are legal.
Licensed pick’em-style fantasy sports sites currently available in Massachusetts include:
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) commenced a review of pick’em-style contests in 2023 and eventually determined that player-vs-house variants meet the state’s legal definition of sports betting.
In 2024, the MGC issued cease-and-desist letters to ten fantasy pick’em operators, accusing them of offering unauthorized online sports wagering. All mainstream fantasy pick’em sites exited Massachusetts in response, but several later returned with player-vs-player variants tolerated by the MGC.
Massachusetts Online Lottery Sales
Online lottery sales are legal in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Lottery currently only sells lottery tickets at retail outlets, but that is set to change. Section 7 of the FY-25 budget authorizes the Massachusetts Lottery to conduct sales “by remote methods,” clearing the way for instant win games and draw-game sales online.
Lottery Executive Director Mark Bracken has said the lottery is targeting a Summer 2026 launch after selecting a vendor to manage online sales and conducting platform testing.
In the meantime, players can use the Jackpocket app to buy lottery tickets online in Massachusetts.
Jackpocket isn’t affiliated with the state lottery, but it is partnered with several authorized retailers to purchase official lottery tickets on behalf of customers, scan images of the tickets, and notify customers when they win.
Online Horse Racing Betting in Massachusetts
Advance deposit wagering apps (ADWs) are legal and regulated in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission – Division of Racing regulates horse racing wagering and issues ADW licenses to qualified operators.
Residents 18+ can use the following ADWs to bet on horse races from anywhere in Massachusetts:
Massachusetts’ general laws (M.G.L. c 128a §5c) authorize “account wagering,” and 205 CMR 6 provides detailed regulations starting at section 6.21. Some of the points for bettors to know include:
- Individuals must be 18+ to open ADW accounts
- All Massachusetts horse racing betting sites must seek MGC authorization annually
- Each account must have a minimum initial balance of $25 when opened. This is not the same as a minimum deposit but effectively functions as one for account opening.
- Credit cards, debit cards, and other methods are permitted deposit methods, but ADWs may not extend credit to bettors.
Massachusetts Gambling Regulators
Several state agencies regulate the Massachusetts online gambling industry:
- Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC): Oversees casinos, sports wagering, horse racing, and DFS licenses; processes licensing applications and approvals; ensures compliance with all relevant gambling regulations.
- Division of Racing: A specialized division under the MGC responsible for regulating horse racing and simulcasting; oversees compliance with relevant laws, issues licenses to all industry participants, and collects funds for the state’s racing fund.
- Office of the Attorney General: Regulates licensed DFS operators via 940 CMR 34.00; investigates and prosecutes illegal gambling activities; issues opinions on emerging formats like pick’em contests.
- Massachusetts State Lottery Commission: Manages lottery operations, including online sales.
Responsible Gambling Resources in Massachusetts
Massachusetts provides comprehensive and well-integrated responsible gambling resources, managed primarily by the MGC. The MGC emphasizes proactive education and accessible support services.
The state’s signature program is GameSense, an innovative and research-based approach to responsible gambling. GameSense advisors are available at all three Massachusetts casinos to provide information and support to patrons.
GameSense is also integrated into legal online sports betting apps to provide tools and information directly to bettors.
Self-Exclusion Resources
Massachusetts operates a statewide Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) program. Individuals can choose to ban themselves from all licensed gambling facilities and online platforms for a predetermined period (one year, three years, five years, or a lifetime).
- Enrollment: Individuals can enroll in VSE through the MGC’s website or in person at a designated location.
- Scope: Voluntary self-exclusion can cover all Massachusetts casinos, all online sportsbooks, or both.
Responsible Gambling Organizations
- Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH): A leading resource that provides information, prevention services, and referrals for treatment. It operates the state’s problem gambling helpline. Call GamLine at 1-800-GAM-1234
- MA Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-327-5050, text “GAMB” to 800327, or visit gamblinghelplinema.org to chat live 24/7.
- GameSense: Provides information and tools to help players make informed decisions and keep gambling fun.
- National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG): Offers a national helpline and resources. Helpline: Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.