The slot parlor casino, Plainridge Park Casino, located about 40 miles southwest of Boston opened on June 24, 2015, and hosts a harness racing track. MGM Resorts’ $1.3 billion casino was the first to secure a resort-casino license in Western Massachusetts and they opened MGM Springfield in late 2018. $23 million 49.4% of the casino's total vendor spend in the third quarter of 2019 was attributable to businesses in Massachusetts. Boston, MA 02110. TEL: 617.979.8400.

Unlike the majority of states in America, it's hard to say where exactly Massachusetts stands when it comes to gambling.

Technically, online casinos are not allowed to operate in the state, yet there is no set law against them.

However, residents of the Bay State are permitted to gamble at land-based casinos as well as place wagers on horse races. There's also a state lottery, and charitable gaming allowed.

The legality of gambling has always been somewhat of a question mark in Massachusetts. However, the industry is growing with multiple new casino resorts opening over the past fewyears.

Could online casinos see the day where they can operate legally in MA? What are residents meant to do for their gaming needs in the meantime?

Let's take a look.

OnlineCasinos in Massachusetts

Online casinos are not legal in Massachusetts yet, however, the laws behind it are a little more complex than other states.

While casinos could face punishment for trying to operate online, the state is more lenient towards players.

If you are gambling online and win $5+, you could be fined twice of what you won. The same applies for if you lose $5 or more.

This means technically if you can keep it under $5, you shouldn't find yourself in any trouble with the law.

Massachusetts is more interested in legalizing online sports betting, but hopefully, online casinos will follow shortly after.

Land-Based Casinos in Massachusetts

Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill in late 2011 that legalized casinos in Massachusetts.

The law allowed three casinos in three different geographic regions, plus one slot parlor.

That slot parlor, Plainridge Park Casino, is a harness racing track located about 40 miles southwest of Boston and opened on June 24, 2015.

Gaming regulations for Massachusetts casinos require a minimum payback of 80% on all gaming machines. The payback percentages for slot machines at all casinos in Massachusetts are released as amatter of public record. Just click here to see a list of slot machine payback statistics for allMassachusetts casinos.

NOTE: If you happen to win a jackpot of $600 or more in Massachusetts, the casino will withhold 5% and send it to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

You may, however, be able to get some of that money refunded by filing a state income tax return.

The $600 threshold also applies to any cash prizes won in casino drawings or tournaments, as well as the fair market value of non-cash prizes such as cars, houses, and trips.

Types of Casinos in Massachusetts

The first resort-casino license in Region B (Western Massachusetts) was awarded to MGM Resorts and their $1.3 billion casino - MGM Springfield - opened in late 2018.

The second license for Region A (Eastern Massachusetts) was awarded to Wynn Resorts and the $2 billion Encore Boston Harbor opened in 2019.

The Encore Casino is the closest casino to Boston.

The final license for Region C (Southeastern Massachusetts) had not yet been awarded as of 2020.

Indian Casinos

There are two tribes in Massachusetts currently battling the government for the right to build a casino on their land.

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is planning to build a destination resort casino near Taunton. That facility, First Light Casino, was expected to open by early 2019.

However, the project has been hampered by lawsuits that have stopped it from being completed.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) also had plans to open a casino in an old community center back in 2013 which was stopped due to the state claiming the tribe had given up theirland in 1993.

The Aquinnah fought back by saying the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act had overseen this and ended up winning the battle in 2018.

Both tribes are still in the planning process for the gaming venues.

Pari-Mutuel Betting

Horse racing is one of the oldest forms of legal gambling in Massachusetts.

Dog racing was legal from the 1930s up until 2010 when the Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act deemed it illegal.

Today, there is only one horse race track that accepts pari-mutuel wagering in MA; Plainridge Racecourse. Residents can go watch live horse races from April to November.

The other tracks, Raynham Park and Suffolk Downs, offer simulcast wagering on races.

List Of Land-Based Casinos In Massachusetts

Click on any of the casinos listed below to learn more about each.

Encore Boston Harbor

• 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
• 1 857-770-7000
• Games: Slot Machines, Table Games (blackjack, roulette, craps, poker), High Limit

First Light Resort & Casino

Not Open

Casinos Near Boston

Horizon's Edge Casino Cruises - Massachusetts

Permanently Closed

MGM Springfield

• One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103
• 1 413-273-5000
• Games: Slot machines, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Pai Gow, three card poker, four card poker, Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, War, Big 6, Let It Ride, and Spanish 21

Plainridge Park Casino

• 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762
• 1 508-576-4500
• Games: Electronic Machines

Massachusetts Land-Based Casinos Map

TYPES OF CASINOS IN MASSACHUSETTS

There are three casinos in Massachusetts. Two are traditional casinos that offer live table games, as well as electronic gaming machines, while the third is a racetrack casino that only offers gaming machines.

Shown below is a list of all casinos in Massachusetts. Click on a name to see a page of detailed information about that particular Massachusetts casino.

Want to See a Map of all casinos in Massachusetts?

Visit our Massachusetts casinos map page to see a detailed map showing all casinos in that state.

Details on Massachusetts Casinos

Two Massachusetts casinos offer live table games, such as: craps, blackjack, roulette and baccarat; plus electronic games, such as: slot machines, video poker, and video keno. The other Massachusetts casino only offers electronic gaming machines, including electronic versions of table games such as blackjack, craps and roulette.

The minimum gambling age is 21 for casino gambling and 18 for pari-mutuel betting at the racetrack casino.

Slot Machine Payback Percentages at Massachusetts Casinos

Massachusetts Gaming regulations require casinos to have a minimum payback of 80% on all gaming machines. All Massachusetts casinos must release the payback percentages for slot machines to the public. Click here to see a full list of slot machine payback statistics for all Massachusetts casinos.

NOTE: Keep in mind if you happen to win a jackpot of $600 or more in Massachusetts, the casino will withhold 5% of your winnings to send to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. However, you may be able to get a portion of that money refunded by filing a state income tax return. This $600 threshold applies to any cash prizes won in casino drawings and tournaments. This threshold is also held for the fair market value of non-cash prizes such as houses, cars, and trips.

History of Massachusetts Casinos

Casinos in Massachusetts were legalized in late 2011 with a bill signed by Governor Deval Patrick.

The law allowed for three casinos in three different geographic regions, plus one slot parlor. The slot parlor casino, Plainridge Park Casino, located about 40 miles southwest of Boston opened on June 24, 2015, and hosts a harness racing track.

Casinos Near Boston Massachusetts

MGM Resorts’ $1.3 billion casino was the first to secure a resort-casino license in Western Massachusetts and they opened MGM Springfield in late 2018. The second resort-casino license was awarded to the Wynn Resorts and their $2 Billion casino, Encore Boston Harbor, located in eastern Massachusetts opened on June 23, 2019. It is the closest casino to Boston.

The last and final resort-casino license for Southeastern Massachusetts (Region C) has yet to be awarded as of late-2020.

Additionally, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is planning to build a destination resort casino near Taunton, Massachusetts. The project named, First Light Resort & Casino is expected to open by the end of 2020. However, the project has been stalled by lawsuits that might completely stop it from being built.

Planning a visit to Massachusetts casinos?

For information on visiting the casinos in Massachusetts, or for more tourism information, call (800) 447-6277 or visit their web site at www.massvacation.com

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TOP THINGS TO DO IN MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts is filled with attractions for all kinds of tourists whether you are looking for art, colonial history, shopping, laid-back islands, serene beaches, or mouth-watering cuisines, you will find it here. The state is filled with historic landmarks, iconic buildings, and natural scenery to explore. Some of the best things to do in Massachusetts are listed below.

The Freedom Trail

This is a winding three-mile trail in Boston and includes some of the most historical attractions to explore in the United States. The trail passes through the old colonial streets and features 16 iconic monuments to explore like the graveyards and the popular Faneuil Hall which was the place where the abolitionists and revolutionaries converged in the past. The trail is quite easy to explore as it is marked by red bricks and large medallions in the ground that go all the way from the Boston Commons to the Navy Yard located in Charlestown.

The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Encore Boston Harbor.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary

This sanctuary is one of the top ten whale-watching spots in the world and it also features some of the most biologically productive ocean environments in the world. The sanctuary can be found at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay and it is a great place to spot various species of whale and also marine life like harbor porpoise, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and seals. The highlight of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is the humpback whales that come here each summer. Most of them are females and they bring their new calves to this sanctuary to feed and teach their calves to hunt. The best way to enjoy this attraction is by going on a guided tour where the tour guide can help to identify species and their behavior.

The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is Encore Boston Harbor.

Old Sturbridge Village

This is among the most visited tourist attraction in the state and you will feel like you stepped back in time. The village recreates life in New England and it covers about 200-acres. The village features craft shops, historic homes, mills, stores, and farm buildings that you can explore. You can see costumed interpreters demonstrate the daily tasks of blacksmiths, farmers, craftspeople, and housewives. The village features a working farm that demonstrates early farming, gardening and livestock rearing. Make sure you visit the two operating mills that make use of water power to process wool and saw timber for buildings.

The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is MGM Springfield.

Gambling Casinos Near Me

Norman Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell is among the most beloved artists in America and his legacy is preserved in this museum filled with the largest collection of his original artworks. Located in Stockbridge, some of the highlights of the collection in this museum are Four Freedoms, Saturday Evening Post covers, and Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. This is a great place to go if you love artworks. You should also visit some of the homes and studios of the artists in the region like Edith Wharton, Herman Melville, and Daniel Chester French.

The closest casino and casino with a hotel to this attraction is MGM Springfield.

Cape Cod Beaches

This is a long, curving peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic and protects Cape Cod Bay with its northward curve. The bay features over 560 miles of shoreline backed by dunes of waving sea grass. Most of the beaches here are crowded throughout summer but there will still be enough space for you. If you are looking for serene beaches, you can head to the quieter north shore close to Brewster or Sandwich. Cape Cod’s beaches are among the most picturesque places to visit in Massachusetts. You can also head to Cape Cod National Seashore which is a 40-mile stretch of sand and dunes. You are going to find nesting shorebirds or stroll around the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail through the magnificent cedar woodlands.

The closest casino to this attraction is Plainridge Park Casino.

The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Encore Boston Harbor.

Faneuil Hall

Casino Closest To Boston

This hall, constructed between 1740 and 1742, was given to the city as the market hall by merchant Peter Faneuil. It was originally used for public meetings by colonists protesting British taxes and other grievances. It was also used in the mid-19th century as the scene of anti-slavery meetings, speeches, and rallies. At the top floor, you will find the ancient and honorable artillery museum filled with collections like paintings of battles alongside arms and uniforms. The ground floor is surrounded by market stalls including the Quincy Market, South Market, and the North Market where the halls are filled with pushcarts, restaurants, food stalls, cafes, and shops that you can explore.

The closest casino to this attraction is Plainridge Park Casino.

The closest casino with a hotel to this attraction is Encore Boston Harbor.

How many casinos are in Massachusetts?

There are currently 3 casinos located in Massachusetts. A fourth casino is expected to open in late 2020. • First Light Resort & Casino Expected to open in late 2020 • Plainridge Park Casino • MGM Springfield • Encore Boston Harbor

What is the gambling age in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the minimum gambling age is 21 and it is 18 for bingo and parimutuel.