You can bet on fantasy sports, play at social casinos, or gamble at race tracks and bricks and mortar casinos in Massachusetts, though. With online gambling options likely to improve soon, we’ll tell you here about what to expect when Massachusetts online gambling becomes legal, as it is likely to do soon. Online sportsbooks and casinos mean that you can enjoy a wide variety of gambling in a very convenient way.
Introduction to the Massachusetts Gambling Industry
As things stand, online gambling in Massachusetts is currently not legal. This means that you cannot play games at an online casino or place sports bets online if you are resident in Massachusetts. But while online sports betting in Massachusetts is not currently legal, there are some other options for gambling available.
You can compare the situation in Massachusetts with that in another state by checking out our articles about how to find a good West Virginia online casino. You can play some online games of chance at social casinos, but not for real money. You can also bet on fantasy sports, but these are both very different forms of entertainment to playing at online Massachusetts casinos.
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History of Gambling in Massachusetts
Gambling in Massachusetts really started in earnest in 2011. That was when the Expanded Gaming Act lifted the prohibition on land-based casinos being built in the state. The Act was seen as a way of more closely regulating gambling while also allowing the state to benefit from the taxable revenues it generates.
Current legal gambling options for residents of Massachusetts include being able to bet on horse racing at racetracks, with pari-mutuel betting allowed. Playing on the Massachusetts State Lottery has also been very popular for many years, with lotto draws, scratchcards and pull tabs in bars offering ways of playing on the lottery. Charitable bingo games have also been a feature of life in the Bay State for many years now.
There is a small but growing land-based casino industry in Massachusetts too. MGM Springfield is one venue that has been established in recent times. There are also plans from Indian tribes in the state to establish casinos on their land. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is trying to open a casino on land in Taunton. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) is also planning to open a small gaming facility in Aquinnah. It remains to be seen what will happen with these plans, however.
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Online Gambling in Massachusetts
The situation regarding the legality of online gambling has been somewhat confused in 2020, though, with the Covid-19 pandemic creating something of an additional logjam in the state’s legislative process. In November 2020, the state Senate rejected the addition of sports betting to its fiscal 2021 budget proposal. Other priorities currently dominate the Senate’s business, so the situation has become somewhat unclear.
The state House, though, has cleared the legislative pathway for online sports betting to be allowed in Massachusetts soon. The House passed its own version of an economic bill that would have allowed seven online sports betting licenses. The situation regarding online sports betting should now be addressed over the coming year. We’re sure, though, that an online Massachusetts casinos list will be in place sooner rather than later. If you read our article about a real money online casino in Indiana then you’ll be able to compare the situation to that of another state.
Social Casinos
Social casino gaming is something that Massachusetts residents can do online. This form of Massachusetts online gambling is not really gambling, however, as no real money is risked. Instead, players can enjoy playing games like blackjack and roulette for free on their devices purely for fun. While there is no real money at stake, which means that you cannot win any money on these games, it is a good way of becoming familiar with casino games for when the legal situation changes.
If you spend time playing games at social casinos then you will be in a stronger position for when Massachusetts online gambling does become legal. As we state later in this article, knowledge is key to success when you are gambling online. Playing casino games at a social casino will give you some very useful experience that you can use later when you play for real money at online Massachusetts casinos.
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Fantasy Sports Betting
As fantasy sports betting is seen as a game of skill rather than outright chance, this is a legal form of betting in Massachusetts. Fantasy sports is where players put together a team line-up made up of players from a variety of teams. Points are then collected according to how these players perform in actual games.
You can play fantasy sports betting in Massachusetts as long as you are over the age of 21. None of the fantasy sports contests can be college games or any other amateur sport, though. You can check our Massachusetts casinos list for operators that offer you the chance to do some fantasy sports betting.
What to Expect from Online Massachusetts Casinos
So what can you expect when online Massachusetts casinos do become legal? We would expect things to be very similar to the way that they are now in other states. You can see what the situation is in other states by checking out our articles on the best Indiana sportsbook or West Virginia sports betting sites to see what sort of thing to expect. Our Massachusetts casinos list will also help guide you once the law changes in this state.
Online sportsbooks and casinos operate in basically the same way in every country where they are legal. You need to open an account with one before you can bet or play any of the casino games. You then deposit funds into your account and use these funds as stakes for your sports bets or in the casino. An online casino will give you the chance to play slots as well as more traditional casino games like blackjack, roulette and video poker.
Are you in a State with Legal Online Betting? Check out these Operators
Responsible Online Gambling Strategy
When Massachusetts online gambling becomes legal, you need to make sure that you have a strategy in place that can bring you success. You can put these principles into place when you play at a brick and mortar casino in readiness for when online Massachusetts casinos become a reality.
Research the sports thoroughly
When you are betting on sports online you need to make sure that you have expert knowledge in place so that you can assess the value of bets properly. Sports betting requires thorough knowledge of the tactical structures of sports, as well as all of the latest news. You never know which nugget of information may prove crucial for giving you the edge you need to place a winning bet!
Know the casino games well
Just as you need to top sports knowledge to be a successful sports bettor, so you need a good knowledge of casino games if that is where your gambling focus is likely to be. If you want to play roulette, for example, at online Massachusetts casinos then you should make sure you have a thorough understanding of the game before you play for real money. Playing games at social casinos can be a good way of developing this kind of knowledge. You should also take a good look at our Massachusetts casinos list to help you identify the best operator for you.
Manage your bankroll carefully
Once Massachusetts online gambling becomes legal, it is vital that you pay close attention to your bankroll. This is a skill that all successful gamblers possess. When you are watching your bankroll carefully, you are making more considered decisions about things like stake size and what kind of value odds really offer.
Find a good casino
When you want to find legal online gambling sites in Massachusetts, there are certain things that you need to check carefully. Our Massachusetts casinos list here at this site can point you in the right direction. When you are looking for a good online casino or sportsbook you need to check that there is a good range of games and sports covered, that the customer services team is efficient and polite, and that there is a good welcome offer in place.
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Conclusion
As you can see, it is currently not possible to play games or place bets at online Massachusetts casinos. But while Massachusetts online gambling isn’t currently allowed, we’re confident that things will change in the coming months. If the situation in the rest of the country is anything to go by then the laws in the Bay State will soon allow Massachusetts residents to gamble online on their favorite sports and casino games.
Until then, Massachusetts residents are limited to the race tracks, bricks and mortar casinos and social casino sites. That gives you plenty of chances to develop strategies that can bring you success once the law changes, though. Always remember that successful online gambling requires good knowledge, a proper understanding of bet types and game rules, and the ability to manage your funds carefully. If you keep those principles in mind then you should do well!
Massachusetts Casinos FAQs
🎲 Can you online gamble in Massachusetts?
If you want to know the situation regarding the legality of online gambling in a specific state then you need to refer to our expert articles here at CaptainGambling! In our guides and operator reviews you’ll find all the detailed information you need to discover whether or not online gambling in states like Massachusetts is legal or not. You can also use features like our Massachusetts casinos list to find the right places to play casino games and place sports bets. If you’re looking for expert gambling tips of all kinds then CaptainGambling is the place for you!
🎰 What online casinos are legal in the USA?
If you want to know which casinos are licensed to operate in specific states in the USA then CaptainGambling can help you. Articles like our Massachusetts casinos list can help you find the best possible online casinos for you. The laws around gambling in the USA vary considerably from state to state, and it is important for anyone doing any online gambling to be properly aware of how the laws of their local area apply to them. We would never advise anyone to deliberately flout their state’s laws when it comes to online gambling.
🔒 Will online gambling in Massachusetts be safe, once legal?
The best way to check to see if an online casino is safe and secure is to look at CaptainGambling articles like our Massachusetts casinos list. They will give you full details about factors like licensing and date encryption that will give you a proper idea about how safe each operator is. No one wants to feel that their money or their data is unsafe when they are online gambling, so use CaptainGambling as a trusted source of reassurance once you are able to do some legal Massachusetts online gambling.
