Massachusetts still doesn’t have any online poker legislation in place. However, changes are being discussed and there could be progress made in the next couple of years.
| Type/Code | Summary |
|---|---|
| State Code Section(s) | II.10.37-40; II.23K; XX.137; IV.271 |
| Definitions | Gambling: The playing of a game by a patron of a gaming establishment.
Game: A banking or percentage game played with cards, dice, tiles, dominoes or an electronic, electrical or mechanical device or machine played for money, property, checks, credit or any other representative of value which has been approved by the commission. Gaming: Dealing, operating, carrying on, conducting, maintaining or exposing any game for pay. Gaming device: An electronic, electrical or mechanical contrivance or machine used in connection with gaming or a game. |
| Online Poker/Gambling | Several lawmakers and members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission support online poker and casino games. Bills in the past have not seen votes, but a 2018 omnibus gambling expansion bill may be considered this year or in 2019. |
| Live Poker | There are no live poker rooms but will be once the casinos are opened. |
| Casinos | There are no casinos in Massachusetts, but Native American tribes have been battling in court over their rights to open casinos. The Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 authorized three full-fledged casinos and one slot parlor, all of which are in process. |
| Sports Betting | A bill is under consideration in Massachusetts to legalize sports betting, and it is currently combined with online poker and casino games in a comprehensive bill to expand gambling. |
| DFS | A 2017 law legalized daily fantasy sports, but the legislature must pass a new bill to extend regulations beyond the trial period that ends in 2018. |
| Other Forms of Gambling | Horse and dog racing, on-track pari-mutuel betting, charitable gambling, lottery. |