Massachusetts

Massachusetts online gambling

Reading the Signs: Will Massachusetts Legalize Online Gambling in 2019?

By Steve Ruddock

Sports betting and online lottery are already hot topics in the Massachusetts legislature, but the state shouldn't forget about online gambling.

Michigan online lottery

Massachusetts Treasurer Insists Lawmakers Include Online Lottery In Gambling Expansion

The Massachusetts treasurer has laid down the gauntlet, telling lawmakers to skip...

Follow Massachusetts problem gambling

States Could Benefit From Following Massachusetts’ Lead In Handling Problem Gambling

Massachusetts is undertaking a first-of-its-kind multi-year gambling research project, and so far...

online gambling bill MA

Online Gambling In Massachusetts? Lawmaker Introduces Omnibus Gaming Legislation

Legislation introduced by Massachusetts State Senator Eileen Donoghue would install permanent fantasy...

PlayMyWay Microscope

Responsible Gaming Pilot Program Goes Under The Microscope After Year One In Massachusetts

Drawing on eight months of data, researchers submitted their findings on the...

‘Dead Ducks?’: Massachusetts Lottery Worries About Impact Of NH Online Sales
By Dustin Gouker on August 31, 2017
The expansion of lottery sales online in New Hampshire has its neighbor to the south very worried.
Massachusetts Commission Split Over Best Path Forward For Online Gambling, Daily Fantasy Sports
By Steve Ruddock on August 1, 2017
The Massachusetts commission looking into online gaming and fantasy sports submitted its final report, much to the dismay of some.
Massachusetts Special Commission Recommends Regulating DFS As Online Gambling
By Steve Ruddock on July 25, 2017
A Special Commission in Massachusetts was tasked with making recommendations on regulating DFS and online gambling. Its report was released on Tuesday.
Report: Massachusetts Online Gambling Likely To Get Green Light From Special Commission
By Dustin Gouker on June 6, 2017
A special commission in Massachusetts is poised to recommend an omnibus approach to regulation of the online gambling industry.
Massachusetts Senate President: Online Gambling And Lottery Action Unlikely In 2017
By Steve Ruddock on May 18, 2017
Talk is skewing negative in Massachusetts on online gambling and lottery, as the Senate president said action will likely have to wait until next year.
Key Massachusetts Official Fears Online Gambling Would Cut Into Potential Online Lottery Sales
By Steve Ruddock on April 12, 2017
Massachusetts Treasurer Deb Goldberg made it very clear that she believes online lottery needs to be legalized before online gambling. But is her concern warranted?
Wynn Won’t Stand In The Way Of Legal Online Gambling In Massachusetts
By Steve Ruddock on March 6, 2017
At a recent meeting of the Massachusetts online gambling and DFS study panel, Wynn Resorts made some very interesting comments regarding MA online gambling.
Wynn And MGM Casinos Move Forward While Tribal Project Remains In Limbo In Massachusetts
By Steve Ruddock on February 23, 2017
When the MGM Springfield opens in 2018 it will be the first full casino in Massachusetts, but it won't be too long before it's joined...
Problem Gambling Data A Clarion Call For Legalization Of Online Gambling In MA
By Steve Ruddock on February 8, 2017
Research submitted to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission proves that online gambling prohibition fails and makes a case for legalization and regulation.
Analysts Predict Up To Three States Could Legalize Online Gambling In 2017
By Steve Ruddock on February 6, 2017
A new report from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming predicts at least one, and possibly as many as three, US states could move to legalize online...
Massachusetts Online Gambling Effort For 2017 Begins With Filing Of New Bill
By Steve Ruddock on January 19, 2017
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr reintroduced legislation that would legalize and regulate online gambling in Massachusetts.
MA Gaming Chairman: Casino Host Communities Already Benefiting Economically From State’s Development Strategy
By Steve Ruddock on January 18, 2017
In an op-ed in the Boston Globe, MGC Chairman Stephen Crosby touted the positive early results MA casinos were having on their host communities.
Massachusetts Senator Wastes Little Time Hitting The Refresh Button On Online Lottery
By Steve Ruddock on January 16, 2017
Massachusetts will get another chance to legalize online lottery sales, as Sen. Jennifer Flanagan has reintroduced her legislation from last year.
Massachusetts Treasurer Readies To Champion MA Online Lottery Push, But Voices Of Dissent Still Linger
By Steve Ruddock on January 6, 2017
Massachusetts came close to legalizing online lottery sales last year, and if State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has her way, it will get done in 2017.
No, The Introduction of Casino Gambling in Massachusetts Hasn’t Sparked A Massive Crime Wave
By Steve Ruddock on December 22, 2016
A crime report comparing data since Plainridge Park Casino opened with data collected before it launched is good news for casino advocates.
Land-Based Gambling Expansion Proposals (Mostly) Strike Out With Voters
By Steve Ruddock on November 15, 2016
On election day, Massachusetts and New Jersey voters said no thanks to land-based gambling expansion, while Rhode Island squeaked its proposal through.
Massachusetts Study Panel Meets To Explore Regulatory Paths For DFS, Online Gambling
By Steve Ruddock on November 2, 2016
A special panel created to recommend daily fantasy sports and online gambling regulations in Massachusetts held court for the first time on Monday.
Online Lottery Push In Massachusetts Could Cover A Broad Spectrum Of Products
By Steve Ruddock on October 11, 2016
A new bill is expected to be introduced in Massachusetts that will legalize online lottery sales and allow the lottery to explore new products, like...
Massachusetts Gaming Commission: Single Omnibus Bill May Be Best Path Forward For Online Gambling
By Steve Ruddock on September 12, 2016
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is hopeful the state will handle DFS and online gambling legalization at the same time, with a single omnibus bill.
Holdups Continue To Be The Story For Land-Based Casino Developers In Massachusetts
By Steve Ruddock on August 8, 2016
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's First Light Casino project is in jeopardy following a court ruling that went against the Massachusetts tribe.

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Inside MA Legal Online Gambling
History

Massachusetts first explored online poker expansion when they were working on their brick & mortar casino expansion bill back in 2010, but back then the state was considering prohibiting online poker. The prohibition of online poker never caught on during the casino debate and fell by the wayside. The issue was resurrected in 2012 and 2013 when State Treasurer Steve Grossman and State Senator Bruce Tarr started making the case for the legalization of online lottery and online gaming in the Bay State.

Despite several bills having been introduced, the state has shown only mild interest in the matter.

In fact, the crowning moment for Massachusetts wasn't the introduction of bill (although several have been introduced over the years), it was a day-long educational forum hosted by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission in 2014.

2015 in review

With Grossman losing in the 2014 Gubernatorial primary and not seeking reelection as Treasurer, and the state still trying to iron out it's brick & mortar casinos, Massachusetts wasn't expected to make a huge push for online gaming in 2015. That changed when daily fantasy sports became the hot topic.

DFS regulatory talk began in late 2015 and may have opened the door for online gaming legalization talk to pick back up.

Even though online gaming legalization received only a cursory mention at the tail end of 2015, the stage is set for the state to give it a look in 2016, and just like that, suddenly Massachusetts is back in the running for online gaming.

2016 Outlook

DFS regulations are coming in Massachusetts, and once the regulatory framework is approved, Massachusetts can once again turn their attention to online gaming.

However, several impediments still stand in the state's way:
- the state's brick & mortar casinos are still under construction;
- One of those casinos is owned by Wynn Entertainment, and Steve Wynn has expressed his opposition to online gaming on several occasions;
- Several key lawmakers are decidedly anti-online gambling, including Attorney General Maura Healey;
- Massachusetts is historically very slow when it comes to legislating "vices."
A second, and far more optimistic possibility was put forth by the seemingly pro-online gaming Massachusetts Gaming Commission, when they suggested an omnibus approach that would include not only DFS, but online poker and online casino games.