Casinos in Massachusetts

Choose Casinos in Massachusetts for a 100% safe and legal gambling experience

If you live in Massachusetts and were hoping to come across the best casinos in the state, then you have come to the right place. Massachusetts boasts many gambling options which will satisfy all types of gamers. Our comprehensive list of casinos will fill you in on what all these options are, so you are fully aware of what’s on offer before you get going. But before you do, we’d like to give you a little more information about the history of gambling in the state of Massachusetts…

History of gambling in Massachusetts

In actual fact, gambling has been an essential part of many states of America, but it is in Massachusetts that bets and wagers have had a greater influence through time. Over time, there has been moments when the state imposed no avenues for regulated gambling, and other moments when the laws were more strict and the gambling scene was overly pronounced. However, today there is no denying that gambling accounts for a major part of the revenue and has become crucial for keeping the economy of the state strengthened.

What to look for in Massachusetts casinos

Even if there are many legal gaming establishments in Massachusetts, it’s still really important to make sure that the places you are gambling at are 100% safe, secure and reputable. There are a number of ways to do this, most of which can be done by tapping in to the casinos website and checking for:

• Safe and convenient payment methods
• Minimum age for gambling at the casino (some establishments may differ within state)
• Check online for reviews and rating of the specified casino
• Make sure there are enticing promotional offers
• Check what the dining options are and if there is a hotel if you need to stay the night
• View the games selections and make sure all your favorites are there!

With these things in mind, and the list of the top casinos locations at your disposal thanks to our directory, you are able to gamble safely and the most reputable and trustworthy gaming establishments in the state. Enjoy!

Massachusetts Gambling Laws

Though many states are against gambling in different forms, the state of Massachusetts recognizes its positive impact on state revenue. The Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 approves, among other things, the construction and operation of 4 casinos. This decision is expected to rake in anything between $350 million to $400 million and generate 10,000 jobs.

Casinos

At the moment, there are no commercial or tribal casinos in Massachusetts ready for public entertainment. The Plainridge Park Casino is expected to open on June 24th, MGM Springfield is expected to open in 2017, and the Wynn-Everett is expected to open around 2017 or 2018. A fourth license is still available, and Mashpee tribe is seeking to open its casino, waiting for an answer from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. However, as for now, this tribe doesn’t meet federal requirements to take the land there, and the approval is unlikely.

Online Gambling

Chairman Crosby of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is still in the process of assessing whether internet gaming should be allowed in the state or not. Some of the issues raised in the last Internet Gaming Forum involved risks of money laundering, problem gambling, and issues of verification. As such, the decision at the moment involves going slow and studying each of the aspects involved, finding ways to protect the state lottery (which may also be affected once online gambling is allowed), and allowing the actual land-based casinos to operate and become stable first before considering any other gaming options.

Horse Racing

Pari-mutuel betting on horse races is available in Massachusetts. Its rules and regulations are standard everywhere in the US, and this state is no different – definitions pertaining to wins, shows, places, straight bets and exotic bets are the same. There are three race tracks in the state: Suffolk Downs where live races can be watched, Plainridge Racecourse and Raynham Park. The minimum age to bet pari-mutuel in Massachusetts is 18. Simulcast races from all over the country are also available.

Lottery

The Massachusetts State Lottery is available to all residents of the state. Draw games, scratch cards, and pull tabs can be played. Interstate lottery games like Powerball and Mega Millions are also offered. Only those who are 18 and above are allowed to participate in the lottery.

Charitable Gambling

There are four forms of charitable games allowed: Bingo (beano), raffles, charitable gaming tickets, and casino nights or bazaars. Typically, bridge and whist can also be played in these events. Certain nonprofit organizations can hold charitable games for fundraising purposes. These include church organizations, fraternal societies, educational clubs and veterans’ organizations. There are two whole sections in the Expanded Gaming Act dedicated to mapping out charitable gaming in the state. A minimum age of 18 is required to participate in charitable games.

Poker

This game is wildly popular in Massachusetts, but until the land-based casinos open their doors, the only legal way to play live poker here is home games. Online poker is illegal in the state.