• Online Poker In Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Poker Rooms

Get with the program. M life Rewards gets you access to the best MGM Resorts has to offer. Join today and receive:. Up to 15% off room rates. Pre-sale ticket offers to world-class entertainment. Find local Poker Cash Games groups in Boston, Massachusetts and meet people who share your interests. Join a group and attend online or in person events. Massachusetts Legal Poker Sites For many years, the government in Massachusetts watched residents (and their revenue) cross into neighboring Connecticut to enjoy poker games at the resort casinos of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.

Massachusetts has played host to some of the biggest poker tournaments and cash games in the world – some legal, some probably a little less so given the state’s colorful history. Some of the biggest games of all, however, almost certainly took place in a bedroom, possibly a living room or home office – thanks to the innovation of online poker.

All of the major US-friendly poker sites accept players from the state of Massachusetts. If you want to play online poker in Massachusetts, we suggest you read the reviews on the linked page to find out which poker site is the right one for you.

The rest of this page discusses how people in Massachusetts play online poker, what Massachusetts law has to say about playing poker online and where it fits in with the state’s approach to gambling at large.

Most Recent Online Poker Happenings in Massachusetts

Going into 2019, Massachusetts remained one of the most likely states to legalize online gambling, but it did not happen. There was a bill proposed by Massachusetts Rep. Bradford Hill in January 2019 to regulate online gaming, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting, but it made no progress.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been conducting in-depth research on all types of potential gambling expansion projects for the state over the past several years. Everything from economic and social impact to risks for specific groups of people, like military veterans. The eventual result of these studies could be comprehensive online gambling legislation.

Meanwhile, Massachusetts struggles with its land-based properties. MGM Springfield has underperformed since its opening in August 2018, and Encore Boston Harbor has suffered under the Wynn name and continuing legal troubles with the former CEO.

While online poker and casino games could provide additional revenue for the land-based casinos in the state – as has been proven helpful in New Jersey – lawmakers are awaiting the results of more studies before pursuing serious proposals to legalize those games.

To be fair, Massachusetts is giving the same serious consideration to sports betting. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is doing everything possible to expand gambling for the benefit of the state and without causing harm.

Massachusetts remains a likely state to consider online gambling again in 2021.

Is Online Poker Legal in Massachusetts?

How does the law in Massachusetts treat poker players? Are players in violation of state law? Is it illegal to play online poker in Massachusetts? Some of the laws on the books in Massachusetts that pertain to gambling were authored well before the Internet was even a concept, so applying those laws to new technology can be a tricky endeavor.

The full text of Massachusetts law is linked below. We’ve excerpted and summarized some of the key points for online poker players in Massachusetts:

The term “lottery” means something different in Massachusetts law than in common useage. Basically, “lottery” is somewhat akin to what other state laws call “gambling.”

Massachusetts law uses the term “gaming” and not “gambling” in much (although not all) of the law. The definition of “gaming” is found in Chapter 4, Section 7: ““Gaming”, “illegal gaming” or “unlawful gaming” shall include every act punishable under any law relative to lotteries, policy lotteries or policy, the buying and selling of pools or registering of bets.” Note that the definition essentially treats “gaming” and “illegal gaming” as the same thing – all gaming is illegal unless otherwise specified.

There are a number of individual charges related both to participating in illegal gambling and operating illegal gambling. Gambling in a “public” place is illegal (Chapter 271, Section 2) as is keeping a gambling device and using a gambling device.

The law of Massachusetts doesn’t address Internet poker directly, but using a telephone “for gaming purposes” is illegal.

“Whoever uses a telephone […] for the purpose of accepting wagers or bets, or buying or selling of pools, or for placing all or any portion of a wager with another, upon the result of a trial or contest of skill, speed, or endurance of man, beast, bird, or machine, or upon the result of an athletic game or contest … shall be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one year” (Chapter 271, Section 17A)

There are substantial penalties in store for individuals who operate an illegal gambling business of a certain size in Massachusetts. The charge of “organizing or promoting gambling facilities or services” (Chapter 271, Section 16A) can bring up to 15 years in state prison.

With stakes so high, players must seek out a qualified legal opinion before engaging in unregulated gambling activity. This page is not a substitute for such an opinion – it’s only intended to help you gain a basic understanding of Massachusetts gambling law.

Will Massachusetts Regulate Online Poker in 2021?

Eventually, Massachusetts will regulate online poker and casino games.

Massachusetts is very close to other East Coast states that offer online gambling or are preparing to launch sites to do so. In addition, the topic has been on the mind of legislators for years and the subject of closed-door discussions behind the scenes.

With studies likely showing the benefits of online gaming and the need to supplement land-based casino revenue, the next session or two in the Massachusetts legislature may finally show the results. A solid bill is likely in the coming years.

Massachusetts Gambling Facts

While gambling played a role in many of the early colonies, perhaps nowhere was the influence of bets and wagers more pronounced than Massachusetts. According to Gov. Deval Patrick , his dorm at Harvard was paid for by a lottery, as was local landmark Faneuil Hall. While the gambling roots run deep, there have also been long stretches of time during which no regulated gambling was available to residents. Today, gambling has resumed its place of prominence in the state, contributing hundreds of millions in revenue, wages and economic activity.

Famous Massachusetts Poker Players

As is the case with many poker players, many of Massachusetts’ finest cut their teeth in the game by playing online poker. But easy access to casinos on the East Coast also gave many the opportunity to play against a variety of opponents.

Daniel Colman is the Massachusetts native with the most live poker winnings to date, as he holds steady at $28.9 million. He is best known for taking most of the poker world by surprise when he won the 2014 WSOP Big One for One Drop, a $1 million buy-in tournament that awarded $15.3 million to the winner. He continued to play but remained a mystery to many fans, only to drop off the poker radar after 2017.

Dan Harrington is one of the most prolific poker pros in the business, not only garnering $6.6 million in live winnings but writing some of the preeminent books about poker. Harrington on Hold’em is a classic.

Even players who aren’t listed in the top ten owe a lot of their successes to online poker, like Ben Sulsky and Ronnie Bardah.

As of 2021, the star-studded list of top Massachusetts money earners in poker were:

1. Daniel Colman ($28.9 million)
2. Nick Petrangelo ($17.3 million)
3. Anthony Zinno ($9.7 million)
4. Jesse James Sylvia ($7.4 million)
5. Dan Harrington ($6.6 million)
6. Brian Altman ($3.7 million)
7. Curt Kohlberg ($3.3 million)
8. Jonathan Jaffe ($3.3 million)
9. Jesse Martin ($3.2 million)
10. David Paredes ($2.5 million)

Regulated Gambling Options in MA

Regulated gambling activities in MA run the gamut, from the state lottery to the multiple casinos (both commercial and tribal) that are spread across the state’s map. On top of those options, you also can engage in charitable gambling (when properly licensed) and pari-mutuel wagering year-round in Massachusetts.

What About Online Gambling?

Not yet, but all signs point to the state introducing some legal regulated online gambling options in the near future. We believe the lottery will likely come online first, but online poker could follow close behind. That is, for the moment, all hypothetical – as of this article, Massachusetts doesn’t have any online gambling regulated or licensed directly by the state.

All Poker and Gambling Laws by State

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Sources & Citations For This Article on Massachusetts Online Poker

For many years, the government in Massachusetts watched residents (and their revenue) cross into neighboring Connecticut to enjoy poker games at the resort casinos of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. In 2011, they finally took action, approving 3 State-licensed casinos. These have gone through tender and construction has already started. Big names like MGM and Hard Rock are building their casinos fast – with poker rooms expected to open in both in 2015 and 2016.

Recommended Massachusetts Poker Site

This article covers all the different ways you can play poker in this State. First of all, live (casino) poker games are covered. After that you will find information on social poker games including home-games and bar leagues. Next online poker is discussed, along with the chances of future regulated internet games. Finally, you will find information from the Massachusetts Statute books clarifying the legality of poker – along with a summary and quick look into the future.

Live Poker Games For Massachusetts Residents

Until 2015 at least, finding a casino with a poker room is going to involve a trip across State borders into Connecticut. You’ll be happy you made the journey, with the poker rooms at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods some of the best on the East Coast. Big tournament events as well as high and low stakes cash games are the norm at these famous venues.

The Hard Rock and MGM casinos promise poker action soon, and you can be sure that these big casino groups will be looking to attract the major tournament events too. These will be complimented by 1 additional State casino, and a tribal casino is already at the planning stage too. After many years of being a desert for live poker games, MA is about to hit a boom.

Are Home Games Legal In Massachusetts?

You can legally enjoy a social home poker game in this State, with these games having an exemption from the generally strict gambling laws. The rules state that nobody is allowed to make a profit from running these games – which can include raking the pots or charging an entry fee (for example tournament entries).

There are also bar league poker opportunities here. These are not able to charge an entry fee, though they do reward players with small real prizes.

Are Online Poker Games Allowed In MA?

At the moment, internet gambling is assumed to be illegal under the current State laws – which do include a ‘gambling on the telephone’ clause. There are already some discussions concerning future regulation of internet poker games. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (who oversee all types of gambling in MA) have already come out in favor of regulating online games. While there is some political support for this move, the battle to license live casinos is still in the recent past – so there might not be the political will just yet for another big fight. Success of regulated State poker games elsewhere, including revenues for State coffers, should go a long way to kick-starting this type of legislation. With more than 6.5 million residents, this State would be able to support poker sites of their own – though joining with others in a liquidity sharing deal would benefit both players and the poker sites.

What Do The Massachusetts Statutes Say?

Like many States, the MA law is set up to say that all gambling is illegal, unless there is a specific carve-out on the books. Wagering is the key factor here, and unusually the legal wording does not clearly differentiate between the players of gambling games and the organizers of them (which could be a problem if you get busted!).

Online Poker In Massachusetts

Here is the key wording from section 1 of chapter 271 of the State code:

…winning at one time or sitting, by gaming or betting on the sides or hands of those gaming, money or goods to the value of five dollars or more, and of receiving the same or security therefor…

There is no easy ‘skill game’ clause for poker, as the definition of wagering does not specify whether this is on a game of chance or a game of skill. You will find that bets of under $5 are exempt from this definition, though it is not clear if that is per individual bet or per hand.

Poker In Massachusetts – Summing It Up

Massachusetts Poker Rooms

Things are about to kick off in style for live poker fans in Massachusetts, with the Hard Rock and MGM opening their doors in 2015 and 2016. In the meantime you can still enjoy a road trip across to Connecticut for the games at Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods – or you can play in a social home game (as long as nobody is making a profit by running that game).

Online poker looks like a strong possibility here. Like in many States, the appetite for legislation will largely depend on how much money the pioneer States of Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware raise for their State coffers. Once this is proven, there is little reason to think that Massachusetts would be a State to opt out.