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The Best Massachusetts Casino Online Sites in 2023
Gamblers in Massachusetts have access to some of the best casinos in the United States, both online and offline. While land-based gaming venues are quite numerous across the state, local gambling laws do not yet permit licensed MA casinos to offer online gaming. This means that if you want to gamble at , you need to play at one of the offshore casinos listed above.
However, the Commonwealth’s intrastate online gaming market is expected to launch sometime in the near future. When it does, local players will be able to switch to domestic platforms and enjoy all their favorite games from the comfort of their homes. Until then, this guide will serve as a perfect reference point for Massachusetts residents who want to explore the world of Internet gambling.
Best Deck of Cards to Play Blackjack And Poker - Ask GamblersOur Massachusetts casino online review covers everything from the legal aspects of playing at internet gaming sites to handy tips & tricks that can help you maximize your winnings. We also provide a detailed analysis of the most important factors you should consider before making up your mind about any particular .
Massachusetts gambling law doesn’t specifically prohibit locals from playing at offshore casino sites. Furthermore, the casinos featured on this page are operated by trustworthy companies that possess licenses issued by reputable regulatory institutions based in different countries. The platforms are audited for safety on a regular basis and use SSL protocol with 128-bit encryption to protect your personal and financial data. Read on to find out more.
Current Gambling Situation in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the US states with a well-developed gambling industry. Gaming revenues amounted to nearly $1.04 billion in calendar year 2021, with the majority coming from slot machines (75%). Plainridge Park Casino, which is the only slots parlor in the state, reported $269.7 million in gaming revenue for last year alone.
The commonwealth has four brick-and-mortar casinos offering all kinds of casino games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, poker, and bingo. Daily Fantasy Sports (DSF) and charitable gambling also fall under the remit of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Residents and visitors alike can participate in DFS contests or take part in bingo and raffle events organized by charities.
Best Real Money Casino Apps in the USA for 2023Sports betting was made legal in July 2019 but physical retail sportsbooks were up and running much earlier – in 2015. Plainridge Park Casino was the first venue authorized to operate sports betting facilities but since then a couple more land-based bookies have popped up. The MGC has also granted permissions for mobile betting apps but users must register in person at a retail sportsbook before they can start wagering online.
Things with online casino gaming are a bit more complicated. Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill authorizing online lottery sales back in 2016. Massachusett players were finally allowed to purchase tickets for the major draws over the Internet in 2018. However, the legislature hasn’t made any moves to regulate other forms of Internet gambling.
Massachusetts casinos online are not licensed by the state authorities so you can’t play poker, blackjack, or slots against real dealers within its boundaries. Local politicians have been debating the issue for years without managing to reach a decision. Some members of the House want to include language on online casino licensing in the sports betting bill currently being considered but it remains to be seen whether they will succeed.
Real Cash Wins That Will Blow Your Socks Off!Overview of the Best Massachusetts Casino Online Sites
If you don’t have too much experience playing at online casinos, you should know there are essential features you should always look for. You might have difficulties distinguishing the good ones from the mediocre or bad online casinos but don’t worry – we did the heavy lifting for you. Here’s a list of the most important criteria you should judge an MA gambling site by:
- Security – Online casinos process large amounts of sensitive information such as name, address, bank details, and so on. That’s why digital security should be your primary concern when choosing a gambling site. Always pick a platform that uses SSL encryption and fires firewalls to keep unauthorized parties out. Additionally, you may want to check if the casino operators are transparent about their identity and if the terms and conditions are clear and easy to understand.
- Game Variety – One of the biggest advantages of gambling online is that you get to choose among hundreds or even thousands of titles. The best Massachusetts casino online sites feature digital, card, and table games as well as live dealer variants. Slots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, keno, and video poker are just some of the popular options you could try. Many of the top casinos have partnership agreements with leading software developers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play so the quality of their content is impeccable.
- Mobile Optimization – Most casinos have gone the extra mile to make their libraries accessible on smartphones and tablets. If you want to be able to play your favorite games while riding public transportation or standing in line, you should sign up with a fully fledged mobile casino. Some operators offer native apps you can download from the App Store or Google Play while others provide instant-play platforms accessible through your default browser. Both options have their pros and cons but what really matters is the range of supported devices.
- Bonuses & Promos – Bonuses are a great way to spice up your gameplay and increase your winning chances. Welcome offers give you extra cash or free spins when you open an account while reload bonuses can refresh your bankroll after it has depleted. Loyalty schemes reward your long-term commitment to a single operator and give you additional perks such as fast tracks to special events or VIP treatment during your visits to the land-based partner casinos. Of course, you’ll have to promote each house – all promos come with strict wagering requirements.
- Payment Methods – Credit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, bank transfers, and cash vouchers – good casinos provide several deposit methods to cater to the diverse needs of their clients. Withdrawals typically take longer to process than deposits but the good news is most online casinos pay their customers within 5 business days. It’s very helpful if the cashier is fully loaded with BTC and other cryptocurrencies because digital assets offer fast and cheap transactions.
How to Choose the Best Massachusetts Casino Online?
Follow our step-by-step tutorial and learn how to recognize a good from a mile’s distance.
- Step 1: Safety First_ – Reputation is a double-edged sword for a reason – it takes years to build, but can be destroyed in an instant. Nobody wants to play at an insecure online casino, especially if they have alternatives. Therefore gaming sites go to great lengths to boost their reputation and gain your trust. The most straightforward method is obtaining a license from a reputable regulatory institution. The Massachusetts Casino Association represents brick-and-mortar venues and lobbies on behalf of the industry. On the internet, private organizations test and certify casino sites. To help you quickly distinguish the good apples from the bad ones, we feature the logos of collaborating agencies on our recommended website list.
- Step 2: Register and Claim Your Bonuses – Once you have found a few candidate casinos, it’s time to check their registration procedures. Usually, you would be asked for your full name, residential address, phone number, date of birth, and social security number. This information will be used to set up your account and verify your identity. Sometimes you may be required to upload documents such as a driver’s license or a passport. As a reward for completing the registration procedure, you will be presented with a nice welcome bonus. Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions to avoid unpleasant surprises later on.
- Step 3: Payment Methods – Speaking of surprises, the fine print of the T&C contains critical information about the bonus offer such as wagering requirements, game weighting, and validity period. But that’s not all – you can also find out which payment methods are accepted, what’s the minimum/maximum transaction amount, and how long it takes to receive your money. These are all essential factors that can influence your choice of casino. By the way, some promotions are stickied meaning you can only cash out their winnings.
- Step 4: Game Quality – There are two main groups of online casino games – those that are available without logging in and those that require authentication. As a potential customer, you would want to play some demo versions and see if you like the games before looking at the library in its entirety. Admittedly, you won’t be able to tell whether you like a game by testing a single round, but at least you will have formed an initial opinion. As for the variety, the more the merrier applies here too.
- Step 5: Mobile Experience – In order to stay competitive, modern casinos invest a lot of resources in developing high-quality mobile products. Needless to say, responsive design is a must, but there are many other features that enhance the user experience such as touchscreen support, quick access to account settings, efficient navigation, and smooth animations. Unfortunately, mobile devices are no match for desktops and laptops in terms of processing power so online casino developers have to make certain compromises. This often translates to a smaller selection of games for iOS and Android users.
Massachusetts Online Casino Games
Online gambling is all about convenience, and nothing epitomizes this aspect better than the ability to play your favorite games from the comfort of your home. Massachusetts residents can take advantage of this perk by visiting one of the recommended sites and creating a new account.
New members are offered generous bonuses as a welcome present which can be used to play slots, video poker, baccarat, and other exciting games. The following categories are represented in the average gaming library of an MA casino online:
Online Slots
This is the largest category of games, representing more than half of the total number of titles in most libraries. Online slots are easy to play and offer huge payouts, which makes them appealing to a broad audience. Their popularity is further enhanced by the varied themes used by developers, depicting scenes from history, space, underwater worlds, nature, etc.
caesars casino sportsbookAnother big plus is the numerous special features integrated in modern slots. These could be as simple as extra wilds or a jam session with the whole band (Guns N’ Roses Rock Mode). Of course, progressive jackpot slots stand out with the biggest prizes that sometimes exceed one million dollars. Just imagine hitting the Spin button and instantly becoming a millionaire – sounds like something out of a fairytale, right? Well, stop fantasizing because this could actually happen to you!
Blackjack, Roulette, and Other Table Games
Some people prefer strategy games where skill plays a bigger role than chance. That’s completely normal, and if you share this philosophy, you will be happy to hear that Massachusetts gambling websites feature multiple variations of classic games such as blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, and Caribbean Poker.
In fact, you have so many options to choose from that it becomes difficult at times. Should I play Face Up 21 or Matchplay 21? What is High Limit Atlantic City Roulette, and why should I prefer it over the regular version? Does anyone really play Picaco Rojaro Bac Bo when there are already enough seats at Baccarat Super 6? Well, we can’t answer all these questions, but we can help you find the appropriate game and enjoy it to the fullest.
Video Poker
Another class of ‘one versus the computer’ games is video poker. Much like table games, it offers more opportunities for optimal play and therefore lower house edge. Fans of Jacks or Better and its relatives Deuces Wild and Joker Poker will be glad to know that MA casino online sites provide all the popular variants.
You can put your skills to the test and try to become the next World Series of Poker champion, or you could just sit back and relax while playing a entertaining Jacks or Better Full Pay. Either way, video poker is definitely worth your attention.
Live Dealer Games
We are well aware of the convenience of playing from home, but there’s no denying the fact that something essential is missing from the picture. We speak of face-to-face interaction, the human factor that turns a mundane activity into a memorable experience. And yes, chatting with your family is great, but it’s not what we have in mind. Allow us to introduce you to our live dealer sections – here, you can find dozens of tables waiting for you, staffed around the clock by pretty young things ready to take your bets;
Of course, gentlemen, we must admit that not all dealers are ladies, and not all of them are hot. In addition, you will have the opportunity to chat with your peers, witness the absolute fairness of the RNG mechanics, and enjoy high-quality streams without commercial interruptions. Sounds cool, huh? Hold on, we’re not done yet – let us also add that all games offered in the live lobby are carefully selected and proven crowd-pleasers such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, Casino Hold’em, and Caribbean Stud.
Other Types of Online Games
There are plenty of other games that can be found in the libraries of top Massachusetts online casinos. These range from the most popular titles to niche propositions that only a small group of fans can appreciate. Keno, scratch cards, virtual horses or dogs races, and arcade games belong to this second category, but hey, someone out there really enjoys them. Oh, and we almost forgot the king of skill games – poker.
🤑 Bally Casino NJ Bonus Code & App Review 2023Most casinos leave it out of the main lobby, probably because it’s so popular it wouldn’t fit anyway. In addition, management of player funds is handled by external sites, the most notable examples being PokerStars and partypoker. Yes, partypr – the company has managed to rebuild its brand after shedding its skin as an all-in-one gambling solution and is now stronger than ever. Its online poker internationally and partypokerslots.com locally are doing fine and attract new players every month.
Massachusetts Casino Bonuses
Bonuses are a key component of the marketing strategies employed by online casinos, especially since the competition is so fierce. Players are constantly bombarded with messages about first, second, and reload bonuses, as well as rewards for referring a friend or writing a positive review.
Welcome offers remain the most popular type of promotion, and basically work like this: you make your first deposit and the casino matches it by 100%, 150%, or even 200%. This bonus amount can go up to $1,000 or more at some sites, but before you get too excited, you should know there is some small print involved. For one, you will not be able to withdraw the bonus money until you complete a certain number of wagers – this is known as the wagering requirement or playthrough.
It is expressed as a product of three numbers: deposit + bonus + promotion code = X x Y x Z = total amount of wagers required. Most casinos set the deposit and bonus multipliers to 1x, which is easy to work with, but others try to hide unfavorable conditions by increasing one of the components.
For instance, you may be asked to play 70 times a bonus of $100 that requires a deposit of at least $20. Another thing you should watch out for is the expiration date of your bonus – usually between seven and 30 days. One way to ease the wagering process is to play games with higher contribution towards the requirement. While most contribute 10% to 20%, there are exceptions that tip the scales at 50% or 70%.
Legal Gambling Age Massachusetts
Massachusetts follows the national tradition and sets the minimum age for gambling at 21 years. This rule applies to all land-based establishments as well as online venues. According to Section 27C of Chapter 142 of the General Laws, it is illegal for anybody under legal age to gamble or enter a casino and remain therewith intent to gamble.
Violators may be fined between $50 and $200 and their gambling equipment may be seized, but the authorities tend to show lenience towards first-time offenders. Still, nobody wants to break the law, so if you don’t want to get in trouble, think twice before entering an online casino together with your underage brother and $100 prepared. Not only you could lose the money, but also your brother’s driver’s license isn’t the best idea.
Classic Slot Machine Alternatives to Play OnlineGambling Legally in Massachusetts: Past and Present Issues
Massachusetts residents have been enjoying local gambling opportunities for almost a decade now. Four casino resorts are operational and generating millions of dollars in revenue, providing jobs for local people, and paying taxes to the state budget. Things are going pretty well, and if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, right? Yet, gambling expansion seems to be on the agenda again with proponents pushing for online casinos and sports betting.
It all started with a petition led by DraftKings and FanDuel requesting the legalization of sports wagering. The Attorney General found the proposed initiative statutory and in November 2019 the matter was placed in the hands of the elected officials. A bill allowing sports betting both in physical locations and over the Internet was introduced in January 2020, but it stalled in committee and didn’t progress any further. The proponents have until July 31 to collect the necessary number of signatures for a popular vote, otherwise their efforts for 2020 are nullified.
As far as online casinos are concerned, Governor Baker is not particularly eager to regulate the activity. His spokesperson told MassLive in February 2020 that the governor believes it would be best for the Legislature to focus on other priorities this session, implying he might change his stance later on. State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, sees things differently and thinks internet gambling could generate much-needed tax revenue in the post-pandemic world. He suggests including language on online casinos in the sports betting bill currently making its way through the legislature. It remains to be seen if his plan works out, but if we are to have regulation anytime soon, this is the most likely scenario.
Things You Didn't Know About Caesars Palace Las VegasSummary
Currently, Massachusetts residents can only visit licensed brick-and-mortar casinos. The state’s six venues attracted almost 7 million visitors in 2019 and generated gross gaming revenue of more than $336 million. Plainridge Park Casino was once again the top performer despite a 3.5% year-on-year decrease in slots and table games revenue.
MGM Springfield and the two new venues that opened their doors in 019 – the extreme entertainment complex called Edgewater Casino & Hotel in Westbrook and the chic full-service casino and hotel called Gillette in Sherborn – showed impressive growth. Even the smallest of the four newly established establishments, the boutique casino Danvers, reported an increase in gaming income.
The pandemic had a significant impact on the industry in 2020 causing a steep drop in visitor numbers and revenue for Q1 and Q2. Fortunately, things seem to be returning to normal, and the authorities are considering ways to generate more tax revenue from gambling activities. One of the ideas on the table is legalizing online casinos and incorporating them into the framework of the forthcoming sports betting market.
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the gambling situation in Massachusetts.
Is gambling legal in Massachusetts?
Yes, gambling is legal in the commonwealth. Massachusetts has six casinos that attract thousands of visitors every year and generate substantial tax revenue for the state budget.
Is gambling online legal in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts doesn't prosecution civil violations under Chapter 94 of the General Laws. This means that residents aren't breaking the law by playing at offshore online gaming sites. however, it will be illegal to gamble online within the state borders if regulations are ever put in place.
At what age can you gamble in Massachusetts?
You have to be at least 21 years old to be allowed in a casino or bet online.
Social Casino Myths Debunked: FB Gambling & MoreCan Massachusetts casinos allow online gambling?
Not at this point. State lawmakers haven't introduced any bills for overseeing online gambling platforms. However, local casinos have the option to apply for an online sports betting permit.
