Massachusetts Casinos, Sweepstakes and Gambling

Sweepstakes Casinos in Massachusetts

Sweepstakes casinos are available in Massachusetts and all of our recommended platforms are currently accessible to Massachusetts players. Unlike many other states, Massachusetts has not taken enforcement action against sweepstakes casino operators — the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) warns residents that these platforms are unlicensed and unsupported by state consumer protections, but has not issued cease-and-desist letters.

A significant development occurred in March 2026: House Bill 4431 — which would have simultaneously legalised online casino gaming AND banned sweepstakes casinos — was unanimously sent to study by the Joint Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee rather than advanced. This means the sweepstakes ban provision will not take effect in 2026. Massachusetts sweepstakes players have a reprieve, though the issue is likely to return in the 2027 legislative session.

• MegaBonanza: Our top pick for Massachusetts. Large slots catalogue, generous daily offers, and a polished free-entry model.
• Crown Coins: A well-regarded sweepstakes casino with a strong game library and smooth redemption process.
• Spree: A growing platform with a clean no-purchase entry model and solid game selection.
• WOW Vegas: Over 1,000 slots plus live dealer games. Free Sweeps Coins from day one, plus a daily wheel offer.
• Free Spin Casino: A solid option with a wide variety of slot titles.
• American Luck: A US-focused platform with regular promotional offers.
• Fortune Coins: Popular for its large game library and strong VIP programme.

Social Casinos

• 7 Seas Casino: Free-to-play Vegas-style slots. No prizes, no purchase.
• Vegas World: Free slots, poker, and table games in a lively social environment.
• Casino World: A broad range of free social casino games.

Tax on Sweepstakes Winnings in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a state income tax of 5%. Sweepstakes prize winnings are taxable at both federal and state level. Platforms will issue a 1099-MISC for prizes exceeding $600. Declare all prize income on your Massachusetts state return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Massachusetts?

They operate in a legal grey area. No Massachusetts law explicitly bans or permits them, and the MGC has not taken enforcement action. HB 4431 (2025-26 session), which would have banned sweepstakes casinos as part of a broader iGaming legalisation package, was shelved in March 2026 and will not advance this year. All of our recommended platforms are currently accessible. However, the situation could change in 2027 when the legislature is expected to try again — monitor for updates.

Is online sports betting legal in Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts legalised sports betting in August 2022, with retail sportsbooks launching in January 2023 and mobile/online betting launching in March 2023. Massachusetts has nine licensed mobile sportsbooks: FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, Fanatics, ESPN Bet, Bally Bet, Betr, and Wynn. The state ended 2024 with a record monthly handle of $788.3 million. The sports betting tax rate is 20%. Credit cards are prohibited for funding accounts. The minimum age is 21.

Are real-money online casinos legal in Massachusetts?

Not yet, and not in 2026 either. House Bill 4431 — a combined iGaming legalisation and sweepstakes ban bill — was tabled for study by the legislature in March 2026, with sponsor Rep. David Muradian stating he plans to refile for the 2027-28 session. Opposition came from Wynn Resorts (Encore Boston Harbor), which argued iGaming would cost 1,800 jobs, along with legislators concerned about problem gambling and the existing sports betting market's impacts. Massachusetts' three neighbouring states — Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Maine — have all legalised online casinos, creating competitive pressure that may eventually tip the balance.

How many casinos are there in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has three licensed commercial casino properties — two full resort casinos and one racino — authorised by the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is also pursuing a tribal casino. The three commercial venues generated significant revenue for the state's education and transportation funds.

Is online lottery available in Massachusetts?

Yes — or soon will be. Governor Maura Healey signed a bill legalising online lottery sales in July 2024. The Massachusetts Lottery's iLottery platform was delayed from its originally planned late 2025 launch but is expected to go live in spring 2026. This will allow Massachusetts residents to purchase scratch tickets and draw game entries online for the first time.

Is DraftKings based in Massachusetts?

Yes. DraftKings is headquartered in Boston, making Massachusetts the home state of one of the largest online gambling companies in the US. DraftKings employs approximately 1,300 people in Massachusetts and was a strong advocate for iGaming legalisation in the 2026 session. The company is one of nine licensed sportsbook operators in the state.

What responsible gambling resources are available in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH) is the primary state resource, providing education, counselling referrals, and a live chat service at macgh.org. The Gambling Help Line MA is available at 1-800-327-5050, 24 hours a day. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-522-4700, 24/7. The MGC requires licensed casinos and sportsbooks to fund responsible gambling programmes and adhere to problem gambling safeguards.

Massachusetts Gambling Laws and Regulation

Massachusetts gambling is regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), established under the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011. The MGC oversees the three commercial casinos, online sports betting, DFS, and the forthcoming iLottery. A separate Racing Division within the MGC governs pari-mutuel horse racing.

Massachusetts criminal law does not address online casino gambling directly — there is no statute explicitly prohibiting it, but there is equally no framework authorising or licensing it. The MGC's position is that unsupported, unlicensed gambling platforms (including sweepstakes casinos) do not benefit from state consumer protections, but the Commission has stopped short of enforcement action against them.

Online sports betting is governed by Chapter 23N of the Massachusetts General Laws, which established the licensing framework, responsible gambling requirements, and tax structure. The credit card prohibition and the minimum age requirement of 21 are notable consumer protection measures.

Massachusetts Gambling History

Massachusetts has a measured, carefully phased approach to gambling expansion. Horse racing was legalised in 1934, establishing pari-mutuel wagering as the state's first regulated gambling activity. Dog racing was banned by the Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act in 2009 — one of the earlier state-level greyhound racing bans in the US.

The Massachusetts Lottery, established in 1971, is consistently one of the highest per-capita revenue lotteries in the country. Charitable gaming (bingo, raffles) has operated under strict state regulation for decades.

The landmark Expanded Gaming Act of 2011 authorised up to three casino resorts and one slots-only racino. After years of site selection battles, licensing disputes, and legal challenges:

• Plainridge Park Casino (Plainville): opened June 2015 as the state's first commercial gambling facility; a harness racing track and slots/electronic table games parlour operated by Penn Entertainment.
• MGM Springfield: opened August 2018 in downtown Springfield; operated by MGM Resorts International with slots, table games, hotel, and entertainment venues.
• Encore Boston Harbor (Everett): opened June 2019; operated by Wynn Resorts; the largest and most luxurious of the three, with 3,000+ slot machines, 240+ table games, a hotel, and restaurants on the Mystic River waterfront.

DFS was explicitly legalised in Massachusetts in 2016 — one of the earlier state-level DFS frameworks. Sports betting was legalised in 2022 and launched in January-March 2023. Online lottery was signed into law in July 2024. Massachusetts has taken each gambling expansion step deliberately and with significant public and legislative debate.

Casinos in Massachusetts

• Encore Boston Harbor (Everett): Wynn Resorts' $2.6 billion flagship casino resort on the Mystic River, 2 miles from downtown Boston. The largest casino in New England, with 3,000+ slots, 240+ table games, poker, a 671-room hotel, multiple restaurants, a spa, and extensive event facilities. A Water Shuttle connects to Boston's Logan Airport and Fan Pier.
• MGM Springfield: A $960 million urban casino resort in downtown Springfield, bringing casino gaming to western Massachusetts. Slots, table games, poker, hotel, entertainment, and dining, spread across multiple buildings integrated into the city streetscape.
• Plainridge Park Casino (Plainville): Massachusetts' harness racing track and slot parlour. Over 1,200 slot machines and electronic table games alongside live and simulcast harness racing. The only casino in southeastern Massachusetts and closest to Providence, RI.

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Casino

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has pursued a casino project — First Light Resort and Casino — in Taunton, Massachusetts for many years. The project has faced complex legal battles over the status of the tribe's land under federal law. As of 2025-26, the legal situation remains unresolved, and the casino has not been built. If ultimately approved, it would be a fourth major gaming destination in Massachusetts.

Responsible Gambling in Massachusetts

• Gambling Help Line MA: 1-800-327-5050, available 24/7. Massachusetts-specific helpline with referrals to local treatment providers.
• Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH): The state's dedicated problem gambling organisation, providing education, counselling referrals, and a live chat service at macgh.org.
• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7 by phone, text, and live chat.
• MGC Self-Exclusion Programme: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission administers a voluntary self-exclusion programme covering all three commercial casinos and all licensed sports betting operators. Registration is available at any MGC-licensed casino or online at massgaming.com.

References

1. Massachusetts Gaming Commission
2. Massachusetts State Lottery
3. Massachusetts State Racing Commission
4. Online gambling: are players at risk of prosecution?
5. American Gaming Association