Massachusetts Gambling Information
FAQ / Q&A -- History -- Regulation -- Land Based Casinos -- Fun Facts
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Massachusetts Online Casinos
Regulation and legality of online gambling
You can start researching the Massachusetts criminal code and you won’t find a single reference to online gambling. Anything remotely related to online gambling is a chapter in Section 17A of the Commonwealth’s criminal code which explicitly forbids using a ‘telephone line for the purposes of accepting wagers or bets’. Since WIFI isn’t exactly a telephone line, placing bets online must be legal.
In 2016, a year-long study on online gambling and daily fantasy sports was conducted in MA, and the results pointed to the fact that such activities need to be regulated and fairness secured. That being said, there have been talks about a bill that would regulate daily fantasy sports and online sports betting, including other internet wagering activities as well. But, concrete actions have not yet been taken. Since nearby Connecticut and Delaware are pressuring Massachusetts legislators, the Massachusetts government may be the one to add the Bay State to the list of states where online gambling is explicitly legal. Until then, offshore betting sites are the most suitable market for Massachusetts gamers. By making use of these venues, MA players are in the clear, facing no risks of being arrested or charged with a crime for placing a wager on the web.
Massachusetts Gambling history
Betting on horse and dog racing in Massachusetts was legalized in 1934. Currently, only pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing is allowed, as dog race betting was outlawed by the Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act in 2009. The state also benefits from commercial casinos and there were operational casino cruise ships working the Massachusetts coastline from the late 90s until 2013.
Technically, online gambling is not legal in Massachusetts. If you read the previous sentence once again, you will notice that we didn’t use the word ‘illegal’. Why? Well, Massachusetts is yet another state where legislators didn’t see the importance of creating a legal framework for iGaming.
This basically means that operators and brands can’t legally register apps or casino sites within state lines. However, since there are no laws pertaining to online gambling, you can’t really get in trouble. As a result of this loophole, many offshore and out-of-state casinos have started targeting players from Massachusetts.
Therefore, you have a virtually infinite number of choices. While most casino sites are legitimate, there is always the risk of running into a scam. This could be an especially tricky situation, as you won’t be able to receive assistance in the dispute. It’s important to be careful.
As for the future, there are serious indications that Massachusetts might legalize online casinos in the future. They were one of the first states to pass DFS-related legislation, and have one of the fastest-growing land-based casino markets in the country. Mainly, it’s just a matter of time.
Land based casinos
Modern-day gambling in Massachusetts is regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. In 2011, the Expanded Gaming Act was passed, and it allowed for three casino resorts and one slot parlor to be opened. In 2015, the Plainridge Park Casino opened, and still runs as the only harness racing track and slot machine parlor in the Old Colony State. Plainridge Park racino in Plainville features over 1,200 slot machines; they range from penny slot machines all the way up to $100 cabinets. Plainridge Park also offers electronic table games, namely blackjack, roulette and craps.
MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor are the two casino resorts under construction since 2018. The MGM Springfield is expected to launch in September 2018 in Springfield, while the Encore Boston Harbor should open its doors in June 2019 in Everett, Boston suburb. Project First Light and Aquinnah Gaming have been announced by the two state’s federally recognized tribes, the Mashpee and the Aquinnah. Their fate is still uncertain due to disputes with the state about sovereign tribal land and the to-be facilities’’ locations.
Massachusetts gamblers that are into horse races can place their bets at Plainridge Racecourse and Suffolk Downs, as well as Raynham Park which is an off-track betting establishment.
Neighbouring States: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
What’s the minimum age for online gambling in Massachusetts?
21. You’re probably wondering why we’ve picked this number. Our reasoning was the fact that land-based gaming and online gaming always have the same age threshold in other states. Since there are several venues in Massachusetts, you can effectively determine that 21 is the safest way to go.
Just because there are now laws pertaining to online gambling, that doesn’t mean that the police are willing to tolerate underage gambling. Today, most sites ask for a proof of identity, so it’s borderline impossible to gamble whilst being a minor.
Which games can I play at online casino sites in the state of Massachusetts?
Since you have most of the world’s casino sites at your disposal, there’s no reason to limit your choice. Players in Massachusetts love progressive slots, but table games have remained popular deposit the immense amount of novelty titles.
The only thing you need to do is pick a secure and legitimate site, and find whatever interests you. Do a bit of research and you’ll get to play quality games in safe environments.
Are live dealer games available, too?
Certainly. Since land-based gaming involves a certain amount of hassle, it’s reasonable to believe that interactive titles are becoming more popular with each day. Live dealer games combine the iconic casino atmosphere with the simplicity of iGaming.
This gives players ample opportunities to try out strange variations and experimental titles, as well. Many offshore sites have extensive live casino rosters.
What payment options are available at Massachusetts casino sites?
Massachusetts online casinos use many of the same payment options you see around the country. A large number of players still use bank and wire transfers, since they are used to them. However, these transaction methods have a lengthy set of drawbacks, including bouts of inefficiency and extensive fees being charged by the banks.
Credit and debit cards are by far the most popular solution, since you only have to type in a few pieces of information and you’ll be cleared to transfer money from and to your account. Unfortunately, you’re still going to have to deal with loads of annoying fees and waiting periods.
If efficiency is what you’re looking for, then eWallets are perhaps the ideal solution. Services such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller and best known for being fast platforms that provide an additional layer of security. When you’re using an eWallet to deposit money, the casino won’t see your credit card info.
Instead, you’ll be connecting your card to the much more secure eWallet system. Fees are also nonexistent in most cases, except for when you’re transferring funds to your card/bank account. Then again, it’s the bank’s fault.
For those that like complete anonymity, cryptocurrencies are the way to go. These virtual coins are based on blockchain technology, which is a special way of arranging data so that it can’t be manipulated or compromised. Currencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum come with high transfer limits, making them an ideal solution for high rollers.
Do online casinos in Massachusetts pay withdrawals right away?
This depends on two things - the casino’s internal security policy and the option you’re using.
Some casino sites insist on players providing scans of personal documents, such as driver’s licenses, IDs, and utility bills. Reviewing these files can take a long time, which lengthens the period needed to see your withdrawal.
As for different payment options, things were all over the place 10 years ago. Now, pretty much everything is standardized. Here’s what you should expect from the most popular payment options:
● Credit/debit card (3-5 business days)
● Bank/wire transfers (5-7 business days)
● eWallets (instant)
● Cryptos (15-60 minutes)
In Boston, “Happy Hour” signs are against the law. What is known as a common post-work drink deal, is banned in Massachusetts as of 1984. Christmas was once banned, as well. The holiday could not be celebrated from 1659 to 1681, because the Pilgrims believed it was a corrupted festivity. More strange laws include not giving beer to hospital patients, not using bullets as currency, not snoring with open, unlocked windows and not making clam chowder with tomatoes.
The birth of the telephone happened in Boston, Massachusetts. The first telephone call between the telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant, Thomas Watson, was made in 1876. The reported spoken words were: “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you”. Watson heard them from a receiver in the next room.
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