Massachusetts 18+ Casinos
Massachusetts sets two gambling ages. At 18 you can bet on horse races, buy lottery drawings and scratch-offs, and play charitable games like beano, raffles, whist, bridge and pull-tabs. Casino gambling waits until 21, and that rule covers every casino in the state, from MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park Casino to Encore Boston Harbor, so the roster of local Massachusetts casinos has nothing for an 18-year-old.
Lotteries in the Bay State go back much further than its casinos. The colony banned them in 1719, ran a public one in 1745 to pay for King George’s War, and approved the modern state lottery in 1971. Casinos came with the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011, which authorized three casino licenses and one slot parlor; the parlor license turned Plainridge Park into the state’s first racino, and MGM and Wynn won the first casino licenses in 2013.
Players under 21 can still play roulette, craps, Pai Gow poker and Caribbean Stud at legal 18+ online casinos licensed offshore, which neither state nor federal law forbids. What the law does prohibit is gambling on unlicensed, unregulated sites, offshore or on US soil.
Where the Line Falls Between 18 and 21 in Massachusetts:
- 18 and over: horse race wagering, the state lottery, beano, raffles and charitable pull-tabs.
- 21 and over: casinos, daily fantasy sports, casino cruises, bar pull-tabs and bar poker tournaments.
- Closest casino to Boston: Encore Boston Harbor.
- Dog racing was outlawed in 2008, and the last races ran in 2010.
- The Massachusetts State Lottery held its first drawing in 1972.
Can You Gamble At 18 In Massachusetts?
Individuals are recognized as young adults in MA once they reach the age of eighteen. Young adults are permitted to gamble in these legal forms of entertainment: pooled wagers on horse races, lottery drawings, and scratch-offs, and charitable gambling in the form of bazaars, beano, raffles, whist, pull-tabs, and bridge. To enjoy advanced and extended available forms of gambling, players must meet the legal drinking age of twenty-one.
Players that are 21 can purchased pull-tabs from bars, play daily fantasy sports, board casino cruises, participate in poker tournaments at bars with no buy-in, and gamble at land-based racinos at the Plainridge Park Casino and soon to come commercial casinos by MGM and Wynn. For young players under 21, traveling to other states with 18+ casinos seems more ideal than waiting. However, there are other options online that young players can seek out.
Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Massachusetts?
Massachusetts players are permitted to gamble at legally licensed offshore online casinos. MA state laws do not forbid such actions and neither does the Federal government. However, both jurisdictions do provide laws prohibiting players from gambling on illegal, unlicensed, and unregulated gaming sites operating offshore and/or on US soil. US 18+ gaming laws often quote this online stance and cover more information on gaming at 18+ casinos in the states.
Most Reputable 18+ Online Casinos For Massachusetts Players In 2026
We deliver a key resource for young Massachusetts players interested in legally participating in casino gambling. While the Bay State law does not allow young adult players from accessing card games, dice, and table games there are a number of online operators that accept MA players 18+ and allow them to gamble on their various games and titles.
Here we feature leading online gaming destinations located offshore that provide casino games, sports betting, poker, slots, and progressive jackpots. These sites were verified for safety measures, and have been deemed to utilize military-grade security standards and preventative technology to certify player information protection.
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Site Name |
Rating |
Bonus Offer |
USA |
Ages |
PLAY NOW |
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1
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★★★★★★ |
300% Max $2,000 |
✓ |
18+ |
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2
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★★★★★★ |
200% Max $3,000 |
✓ |
18+ |
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3
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★★★★★★ |
150% Max $1,500 |
✓ |
18+ |
What Massachusetts Casinos Are 18 and Up?
MA casinos are not tailored for 18-year-old players, rather they restrict access to those players 21 and older. This means Massachusetts players who are not of age should only play available MA games or they can play casino games through offshore online 18+ casino sites.
Available Massachusetts Land-Based Gaming Venues
- Suffolk Downs
- Plainridge Park Casino
- Raynham-Taunton Park
- MGM Springfield
- Norwegian Cruise Lines – Dawn
- The Encore Boston Harbor
Brief History Of Massachusetts’s Gaming Laws
The first introduction of Massachusetts into the history books was long before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, in fact, the first recorded entry of the landmass was by an English explorer by the name of John Cabot who sailed along the Bay State coast. It would not be until the 1600s that more explorers would map the coastline and arrive. During the 17th century, the Pilgrims, Captains, and names we all have learned of in early America’s history would come to be known. What first was a humble settlement quickly turned into a New England colony, then a province, and finally a recognized state.
In the 1700s, private lotteries were commonplace; however, the general public’s opinion turned and did not approve of these lotteries anymore.
By 1719, the New England colony, which would later become MA, banned all lotteries.
In 1745, the colonial province of MA created a public lottery that assisted in funding the expenses of King George’s War.
By the 1760s, the Lords of Trade disapproved of the public lottery and put an end to it. This lasted until the resurgence of lotteries after the American Revolution.
In 1788, Massachusetts was granted its statehood. This same year MA banned card games, dice games, and table games.
In 1833, the MA constitution created a separation of church and state driving Puritanism outside of government. This helped relax some of the anti-gambling laws set by the previously instated religious government. However, lotteries were banned once again after gaining popularity after the war. Throughout the 1800’s the early industrial period began and European immigrants, especially the Irish, flocked to states like Massachusetts.
By 1932, after 100 years of no legal forms of gaming, a law is passed to allow bridge and whist to be played at charitable events by non-profit organizers.
In 1934, beano was legalized and included in the list of approved charitable games. This same year horse and dog race betting became legalized.
By 1943, beano became a banned game as racketeers were using charities as front operations.
In 1947, harness races were legalized.
In 1969, raffles and bazaars, or casino nights, were added to the list of approved charity games.
In 1971, beano had been re-legalized. It was also during this year that the modern lottery was approved of and created by MA.
By 1972, the Massachusetts State Lottery has its first drawing.
In 1998, the first casino cruise launched out of MA. It was called the Vegas Express Cruise.
By 1999, the Plainridge Park opened.
In 2008, dog races were deemed illegal and the last races ran until 2010.
By 2011, MA enacted the Expanded Gaming Act which was signed by then MA Governor Patrick Deval. This Act authorized three casino licenses and one slot parlor to operate within MA. Plainridge Park obtained the slot parlor license and created a racino.
In 2013, MGM and Wynn obtained the first casino licenses.
In 2017, MA created a committee to look into the viability of online gaming. Rumors state that MA is looking to provide its own legal state-based platform.
By 2018, the MGM Casino is expected to open in late September.
By 2019, the Wynn Boston Harbor Casino Resort is expected to open.
18+ Online Casinos For Massachusetts Residents
Our list provides the highest quality selection of online brands that serve the US market, specifically Bay State players who are at least eighteen-years of age. Young adult players from Massachusetts should utilize our guide to reach legal sources of gambling entertainment so they do not violate any state or federal laws.
Our premium resources offer a wide selection of games, titles, and variations from Caribbean Hold’em, Caribbean Stud poker, and American and European roulette to Vegas Three Card Rummy, Pai Gow poker, craps, keno, and more.