1. What Is The Law On Gambling
2. Is Gambling Illegal In Massachusetts

Massachusetts gambling laws only restrict domestic operations and have no power over offshore operators. Operators of illegal gambling activities face far more severe punishment than those who take part in an illegal gambling activity as mere players. In fact, those convicted of organizing or promoting an illegal gambling activity can face up to 15 years in prison. This page was created to inform residents of the legal aspects surrounding online gambling in the state of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Gambling Laws Concerning Online Gambling

Chapter 271, section two of Massachusetts legislation defines gambling (or “gaming” as it is referred to throughout the document) as playing at “cards, dice or any other game for money or other property, or bets on the sides or hands of those playing.”. Massachusetts: Gambling-friendly state started seriously considering online poker and casino games in 2017, opening first land-based casino in 2018. No serious online gambling bills proposed in 2021 but state remains a strong possibility in coming years.

• History of Gambling in Massachusetts Massachusetts has one of the most well-documented and longest gambling histories in the States, having laid down its first legislation in 1719. Most of the developments in the gambling legislation have been due to campaign pressure or to raise funds for war efforts.
• Massachusetts is a hard state to read. On one side of the coin they have laws that state that you can’t run a gambling house or gamble while trespassing, but trespassing isn’t defined very well, especially how the word is used today.
• Massachusetts has fair charity gaming laws that allow various educational, fraternal, patriotic and religious groups to offer charitable gambling. Approved games include bingo, raffles and card games like bridge and poker. The main stipulation is that 100% of the proceeds must go towards the stated charity.

Massachusetts gambling laws do not specifically address online poker or online gambling. It is currently not legal to operate an online gambling site based in Massachusetts. There are however multiple gambling sites which are legally licensed and regulated, and located outside of the United States. Several of these sites welcome players from Massachusetts and are embraced as legal Massachusetts online gambling options.

While online gambling remains somewhat unaddressed in the state statutes, there is a mention of the use of a telephone for gaming purposes. Massachusetts gambling law specifically prohibits the use of a telephone for illegal gambling. The punishment for using a telephone for illegal gambling purpose is a fine that can extend up to two thousand dollars or a jail term not exceeding one year.

Other Massachusetts Gambling Pages

History Of Gambling Laws In Massachusetts

When the first settlers arrived on the mainland, many of them made Massachusetts their home. The Puritans among them did not allow gambling or anything remotely associated with gambling. In the 1800’s when other states were trying to set up lotteries, Massachusetts openly sided with and helped those who opposed the setting up of such lotteries. In 1950, when four states voted against casino gambling, Massachusetts was one of them. Despite this long anti-gambling history, Massachusetts permits certain forms of gambling.

Massachusetts Gambling Laws Concerning Pari-Mutuel Wagering

Pari-mutuel wagering on horse and dog harness racing is legal in Massachusetts. The State Racing Commission was set up way back in 1934. Once the State Racing Commission was set up, a thoroughbred track called the Suffolk Downs was built. The track continues to operate even today. Harness and greyhound racing are extremely popular with the residents of the state. The Plainridge Racecourses is the only other operating racing facility in the state.

Massachusetts Poker Gambling Laws

Home poker games are legal as long as it is not being played in a public place or public conveyance. Under Massachusetts gambling law, a home poker game in which one of the players is a trespasser who happens to be on the property is illegal. Players of illegal home poker games can be fined up to $50 and may be sent to jail for up to 3 months. The host of an illegal home poker game can be fined up to $50 and imprisoned for up to a year. A home poker game would be illegal if the host charges a fee or rakes the pot.

It is not legal to operate an online poker site within the state of MA. For this reason, we recommend that players restrict their poker gameplay to legally licensed and regulated Massachusetts online poker sites that are located outside of the US within territories that have specifically legalized online poker gambling.

Land Based Gambling Laws In Massachusetts

There are no land-based casinos (including Indian tribal casinos) in Massachusetts. However, things may change soon. Last year, the state voted to allow three resort-style casinos to be set up in the state. The state is also negotiating with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to build the first Indian tribal casino in the state.

Charitable gambling conducted by qualifying organizations is legal. Qualifying organizations include:

• veterans organizations
• religious organizations
• churches
• educational or charitable organizations
• civic or service clubs
• fraternity or fraternal benefit societies
• organizations or clubs operated exclusively for nonprofit purposes.

Massachusetts gambling law limits the amount of prize money to $25. There is no limit on the value of merchandise that can be given away as prizes.

Massachuttes Lottery

In 1971 Massachusetts legalized the lottery. In the early part of 1993, the Massachusetts lottery commission started to investigate the possibility of starting keno gambling as part of the state lottery commission’s stable of games. Since keno is a combination of bingo and instant lottery games, the commission assumed that it could institute this game as long as it informed the appropriate legislative committees. Keno gambling was approved by the state legislature, and the lottery commissioner agreed to seek the approval of the legislature before instituting any new gambling initiatives.

Video Poker Games

Proposals for establishing video poker at racetracks were filed in the legislature early in 1993. However, legislators from the section of Massachusetts that was nearest Rhode Island were clamoring to expand the scope of video poker games for Massachusetts by allowing video poker games to be placed not only at racetracks but also in bars and restaurants. However, once the scope of video poker gaming was to be expanded to all forms of public entertainment, supporters of this industry pointed out the devastating consequences that video poker would have on horse and dog racing industries. Hence, the proposal was killed.

Legal Sports Betting In MA

As of now, there is no legislation to legalize domestic sports betting in the state of Massachusetts. Lawmakers and residents are expecting a proposed bill in the near future, but for the time being, offshore sportsbooks offer the only legal online sports betting option in the state.

Efforts To Legalize Online Gambling In Massachusetts

In 2011 and 2012 State Representative Dan Winslow made attempts to push for online poker but on both occasions, he was unsuccessful. As of today, there is no bill seeking to regulate online poker that is pending in the state legislature.

Federal Laws Concerning Massachusetts Online Gambling

Some players mistakenly assume that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 prohibits US players from participating in legally licensed online gambling. This is not true at all. The UIGEA bill simply places strict regulatory oversight on how online gambling transactions can be processed. In fact, it does not address players at all but rather places the burden of regulatory adherence on the shoulders of the gambling site operators and payment processors. This federal law does not prohibit players from participating in online gambling.

Massachusetts Online Gambling Laws FAQS

What are the consequences of illegal gambling in the state of Massachusetts?

Like most states, Massachusetts police will issue a misdemeanor for simple gambling. A level one misdemeanor in the state of Massachusetts can get you up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1000 dollars. The level two misdemeanor has a maximum incarceration time of more than 6 months with a substantially higher fine. A felony is the next step and is classified in Massachusetts law to garner at least a year in prison. Operating a gambling device or operating an online gambling business is enough to acquire a felony count.

Is there any legal gambling in Massachusetts?

Yes, Massachusetts has multiple forms of legal gambling for their residents to enjoy. There is a healthy community of pari-mutuel gambling in the state, along with a lottery and several casinos. There are several commercial and tribal casinos in the state and there are also casino cruises that take off from Massachusetts into international waters where there is less regulation. The state also allows certain legal exemptions to made in the way of charitable gambling.

What is Pari-Mutuel Gambling?

This is the form of gambling that is primarily used at horse and dog tracks around the world. In this form of gambling, bettors make their bets to a community pot which means the betting action takes place between players and not the house. The house takes a small fee and the players bet against each other on who the first, second, and third place winners will be.

What is Charitable Gambling?

The legal exception in the state of Massachusetts for charitable groups to use gambling games and activities as fundraising for their social programs and causes. These charitable organizations can offer bingo, bridge, raffles, pull tabs, and casino nights. Charitable organizations that would qualify for legal gambling fundraising are veteran’s organizations, churches, after-school programs, or any organization that operates for nonprofit.

Massachusetts Gambling Laws

What Is The Law On Gambling

For those individuals who are interested in reviewing the state’s laws and statutes in their original context, please visit the Massachusetts State Legislature Website for direct access to digital copies of the official documents.

**This site and the information therein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for professional legal advice, services, or professional interpretation of the law. If you are seeking those types of services, we recommend that you contact a lawyer. We are not attorneys, nor are we qualified to provide any type of professional legal services or interpretation of the law.

Legal Gambling > State Gambling Laws > Massachusetts Gambling Laws

Is Gambling Illegal In Massachusetts

Ever changing, the Massachusetts gambling laws are somewhat difficult to follow. There has been a lot of speculation over the last few years surrounding gambling in this state. If you live In Massachusetts you will have a bit of research to do. You will see that Massachusetts is also the home of the Representative who is working toward legal online gambling. Barney Frank is attempting to federally legalize online gambling and his views are shared in the region covering Massachusetts. Though the laws are currently unclear, we are sure you will one day see Massachusetts online gambling laws that may be in favor of the industry. For you you will just have to wait.

We are not able to tell you whether or not any form of gambling is legal in Massachusetts as we are not lawyers. If you want the Massachusetts Gambling Statutes clarified, we suggest you find an attorney. We are not saying you should or should not play online gambling games, but instead we are here to show you where you can.