Online casinos in Massachusetts are not legal: no casino site holds a Massachusetts Gaming Commission license, and the Attorney General says offering online casino games without one violates state gaming laws. Here's what is legal, why the AG has gone after offshore brands, and what you risk at a site the state doesn't regulate.
Published terms (reported): Decode advertises a $111 free chip and crypto bonuses on its own site; deposit-bonus codes and terms vary. Eligible games: Mainly slots; check each code.
Who runs it: License not shown on its site; third parties report Curaçao. Regulator notes: Third parties report it refuses players in MD, NJ, NY and WA.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $25 (reported). Wagering Varies by code (25x–35x reported). Max cashout: Varies by code. Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Published terms (casino terms): Silver Oak advertises a 100% match on each of its first ten deposits (up to $10,000 in total) with codes SILVEROAK1–10. Eligible games: Slots, keno, scratch cards (table games at 60x; many games excluded).
Who runs it: Primrose Media Limited, licensed in Anjouan (its terms). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30. Wagering 30x on the offer page; 40x in the terms. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap From $2,500 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 200% match with code WELCOME200; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: $1,000 (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Read before you play: These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews because the casino’s own terms could not be checked; the terms shown at sign-up apply. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET.
Are online casinos legal in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts has never licensed an online casino, and the American Gaming Association's 2026 state report lists online casino gaming there as not legal. The Attorney General's Office goes further: in its October 2024 letter to Bovada's operator (opens in a new tab), it said offering online casino games to Massachusetts residents without a Massachusetts Gaming Commission license violates state gaming laws.
That framing matters. In Massachusetts the pressure falls on the operator, and the AG has used both gaming law and consumer protection law to make the point. The state's message to residents is simpler: use licensed products, and treat unlicensed sites as unprotected.
Massachusetts is unusual because its Attorney General, Andrea Campbell, has led enforcement against offshore brands directly, alongside the Gaming Commission. Two public actions stand out.
Massachusetts AG cease-and-desist letters to offshore operators
Illegal offshore casino and sports betting operations
Chapter 93A is the state's consumer protection law. By citing it, the AG treated misleading marketing (such as calling an offshore site 'USA-based') as a consumer issue, not only a gaming one. The June 2025 letters to BetOnline.ag and Sportsbetting.ag (opens in a new tab) extended the same approach to offshore sportsbooks. The specific sections of the gaming and sports betting laws aren't cited in the material recorded here.
Bovada now lists Massachusetts among its restricted states on its own help page. See our cease-and-desist letters explainer for what these letters can and can't do.
None of our partner casinos is named in the Massachusetts AG actions recorded here. That isn't a clearance: the AG's position applies to any operator offering online casino games without an MGC license.
Massachusetts Gaming Commission and legal sports betting
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) licenses the state's casinos and sportsbooks. Online sports betting is legal, and the MGC lists seven licensed mobile operators: Bally Bet, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel and Penn/ESPN Bet.
To help bettors tell real from fake, the MGC launched an Official Sports Betting Seal of Approval (opens in a new tab) for licensed sportsbooks. In the same announcement it warned that offshore operators are not licensed by any state and may refuse to pay winning bets. That's the regulator's own description of the main risk.
How to check whether a gambling site is licensed in Massachusetts
Look for the MGC's Official Seal of Approval on the sportsbook's site or app.
Compare the brand name with the MGC's list of licensed operators; there are seven mobile sportsbooks.
Remember that no online casino site holds an MGC license, so any site offering real-money slots or blackjack online isn't licensed in the state.
Treat 'USA-based' or 'licensed' claims with care: the AG has called that kind of marketing misleading when used by offshore brands.
The law was signed on August 10, 2022, according to a third-party news report, but the sources used here don't confirm the launch date. States gained the power to license sportsbooks after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in Murphy v. NCAA in 2018.
What gambling is legal in Massachusetts
Here's the whole picture in one place. Where a source is a third party rather than a state agency, the table says so.
Massachusetts gambling status (October 2026)
Form
Status
Source
Online casino games
Not legal; no MGC license
AGA report (third-party); AG letters (primary)
Online sports betting
Legal; 7 operators
MGC (primary)
Commercial casinos
3
AGA report (third-party)
Tribal casinos
Not published in sources used
None recorded
State lottery
Legal; Massachusetts State Lottery
Third-party news report
Online lottery sales
Authorized 2024; launch not confirmed
Third-party news report (April 28, 2026)
Daily fantasy sports
Status not published in sources used
None recorded
Sweepstakes casinos
No ban enacted; H 4431 stalled
Third-party tracker
Daily fantasy status isn't covered in the material recorded here, so we don't state it. Check with the MGC before entering paid contests.
Massachusetts casinos and the lottery's move online
Massachusetts has three commercial casinos, according to the AGA's 2026 report. They're the only places in the state where you can play licensed slots and table games for real money, with MGC oversight of the games and of how disputes are handled. The sources used here don't record any tribal casino operating in the state.
The Massachusetts State Lottery is the other big legal option. Online lottery sales were authorized in 2024, and a public radio report on April 28, 2026 said the lottery app was expected that summer. We haven't confirmed that it has launched, so check the lottery's own channels.
An online lottery isn't an online casino. Even if the app is live, it won't offer casino-style slots or blackjack under current law.
Licensed sites in Connecticut and Rhode Island only accept play from people physically inside those states. That follows from federal law: UIGEA's exclusion for intrastate wagers applies only where state law authorizes them with age and location verification. So players in Boston, Worcester and Springfield can't use a Connecticut casino app from home, even though Springfield sits a short drive from the state line.
Licensed out-of-state online casino vs. offshore casino
Question
Connecticut or Rhode Island licensed site
Offshore casino
Who licenses it?
That state's regulator
No US state; an overseas body, if any
Can you play from Massachusetts?
No (location checks)
Some accept sign-ups; the AG says this violates state law for the operator
Offshore online casinos in Massachusetts: the real risks
Offshore casinos still advertise to Massachusetts players. None is licensed or regulated by Massachusetts or any other US state. Here's what that means for your money, in the MGC's own terms and from the published facts.
Payouts can be refused. The MGC says offshore operators may refuse to pay winning bets, and you'd have no Massachusetts regulator to appeal to.
Weekly caps slow big wins. Many offshore sites cap withdrawals at $2,500 to $5,000 a week, so a $20,000 win at a $2,500 weekly cap would take eight weeks to pay out in full.
Verification comes before cash. Expect to send photo ID, proof of address and sometimes a selfie before your first withdrawal.
Massachusetts has not banned sweepstakes casinos. A third-party tracker reports that H 4431, a bill that would have done so, stalled. These sites use a dual-currency model: Gold Coins for play with no cash value, and Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for prizes.
Neighboring states have moved faster. Connecticut's ban took effect October 1, 2025, New York's (S5935-A) on December 5, 2025, and Maine's (LD 2007) in July 2026. Brands often pull out of states one by one, so availability in Massachusetts can change without a state law. Read sweepstakes casino bans for the full list.
Sweepstakes sites present themselves as promotions rather than gambling. That's their legal claim, not a Massachusetts license: the MGC doesn't regulate them.
Gambling age in Massachusetts
You must be 21 to gamble at a Massachusetts casino, according to the AGA's 2026 report. The sources used here don't publish separate ages for sports betting or the lottery, so check with the MGC, the lottery or the operator.
Offshore casinos set their own minimums. Silver Oak's terms say 21, or the local legal age if higher. Others say 18+. A lower casino rule doesn't override the law where you live. Licensed Massachusetts operators check ID against the state rule.
Taxes on casino winnings for Massachusetts residents
Gambling winnings are taxable federal income, wherever you win. The IRS instructions for Form W-2G set a $2,000 reporting threshold for slot, bingo and keno winnings paid in 2026. So a $2,500 slot jackpot at a licensed casino triggers a W-2G, while a $1,500 win doesn't, though it's still taxable income.
Losses work differently from 2026. The 2025 federal tax law reportedly limits the deduction to 90% of wagering losses, and only up to your winnings. If you won $4,000 and lost $6,000, 90% of losses is $5,400, but the deduction stops at your $4,000 of winnings. Check IRS guidance before you file.
Offshore casinos may not issue a W-2G, but that doesn't change what you owe. Massachusetts state tax on winnings isn't covered in the sources used here, so ask the state Department of Revenue or a tax professional. Our gambling taxes guide covers the federal rules.
Problem gambling help in Massachusetts
Massachusetts runs its own free, confidential line. The Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline (opens in a new tab) is 1-800-327-5050, or text GAMB to 800327. The Attorney General's office includes the number in its offshore enforcement releases.
Peer support: Gamblers Anonymous meetings in person and online; Gam-Anon for family members.
Device blocking: Gamban and BetBlocker stop gambling sites loading on your phone or computer.
Account tools: deposit limits, cool-offs and self-exclusion. Silver Oak's terms, for example, say self-exclusion via live chat is processed immediately.
We show these partner offers because readers in Massachusetts search for them, not because the state allows them. All three are offshore casinos, not licensed by Massachusetts or any US state, and the Attorney General says offering online casino games without an MGC license violates state law. Check Massachusetts law before you decide, and remember there's no state complaint route or balance protection.
We earn a commission when you sign up through our links, and partners appear in a commercial order set by the site owner. Every offer is for new players, 21+ (18+ where allowed), and terms apply. A casino's own site may advertise a different package from the one via our link; the terms shown at sign-up are what count.
Decode Casino: $5,000 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Decode's own site headlines a $111 free chip and crypto bonuses without visible terms. Third-party listings report codes such as DECODE111 (111% up to $1,111, 25x bonus + deposit, $25 minimum) and report weekly withdrawal caps of $2,500 or $5,000, which conflict.
Silver Oak Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). The casino's own pages describe up to $10,000 as a 100% match on each of the first ten deposits (codes SILVEROAK1 to SILVEROAK10), with no max withdrawal and deposits from $30. Its offer page says 30x playthrough but its terms say 40x on slots and 60x on table games and video poker. Silver Oak publishes a license from Anjouan through Primrose Media Limited.
Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Third-party listings report a 200% match with code WELCOME200, 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots, a $1,000 max cashout and a $30 card minimum. Reviewers report a $2,500 weekly cap and slow payouts.
These bonuses are built for slots. Table games are often excluded or count for less, so check the eligible games, and remember the house edge applies to every bet you place while clearing the wagering. Codes change. Read the Decode review, Silver Oak review and Planet 7 review before depositing.
Ad21+ (18+ where allowed). Ranked by us in a commercial order; we earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
These partner casinos are offshore and are not licensed by Massachusetts or any US state. The Attorney General says offering online casino games without an MGC license violates state law, so read the legal sections first.
Published terms (reported): Decode advertises a $111 free chip and crypto bonuses on its own site; deposit-bonus codes and terms vary. Eligible games: Mainly slots; check each code.
Who runs it: License not shown on its site; third parties report Curaçao. Regulator notes: Third parties report it refuses players in MD, NJ, NY and WA.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $25 (reported). Wagering Varies by code (25x–35x reported). Max cashout: Varies by code. Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Silver Oak Casino#4 on our listBonus on 10 deposits
Published terms (casino terms): Silver Oak advertises a 100% match on each of its first ten deposits (up to $10,000 in total) with codes SILVEROAK1–10. Eligible games: Slots, keno, scratch cards (table games at 60x; many games excluded).
Who runs it: Primrose Media Limited, licensed in Anjouan (its terms). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30. Wagering 30x on the offer page; 40x in the terms. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap From $2,500 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Planet 7 Casino#5 on our listRealTime Gaming slots
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 200% match with code WELCOME200; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: $1,000 (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
Are online casinos legal in Massachusetts?
No, online casinos are not legal in Massachusetts, and no casino site holds a Massachusetts Gaming Commission license. The Attorney General has said that offering online casino games to residents without an MGC license violates state gaming laws. Online sports betting is legal through seven licensed apps, and the state's three commercial casinos offer licensed slots and tables in person. Our Massachusetts gambling laws page explains each rule.
Will Massachusetts legalize online casinos?
There's no confirmed plan, and no online casino law had passed as of late October 2026. The state's recent changes went elsewhere: sports betting was legalized in 2022 and online lottery sales were authorized in 2024. Meanwhile, the Attorney General has focused on shutting out unlicensed offshore operators. If that changes, any licensed site would answer to the MGC. See states with legal online casinos for where licensed play exists today.
Why did the Massachusetts Attorney General go after Bovada?
Because the Attorney General considers Bovada an illegal offshore casino operation serving residents without an MGC license. The AG sent Bovada's operator a cease-and-desist letter on October 3, 2024 making that point and demanding refunds for residents. The AG also said its 'USA-based' marketing claims violated the state's consumer protection law. Bovada now lists Massachusetts as a restricted state on its help page. Our Bovada review covers the brand's other state exits and regulator actions in more detail.
Can I play at offshore casinos from Massachusetts?
Some offshore casinos accept sign-ups from Massachusetts, but none is licensed by the state or any US state. The Attorney General says offering online casino games without an MGC license violates state law, and the MGC warns that offshore operators may refuse to pay winning bets. If you deposit, you rely entirely on the casino's terms. Read is it illegal to play at offshore casinos for the wider legal picture.
Which online sportsbooks are licensed in Massachusetts?
Seven operators hold MGC licenses for online sports betting in Massachusetts: Bally Bet, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, Fanatics, FanDuel and Penn/ESPN Bet. The MGC gives licensed sportsbooks an Official Seal of Approval so bettors can spot them. Offshore sportsbooks such as BetOnline.ag and Sportsbetting.ag received AG cease-and-desist letters in June 2025. Our Massachusetts sports betting page has more on the licensed apps.
Has Massachusetts banned sweepstakes casinos yet?
Massachusetts hasn't banned sweepstakes casinos, but that isn't the same as licensing them. A third-party tracker reports that H 4431, a proposed ban, stalled. The MGC doesn't regulate these dual-currency sites, so any dispute goes to the operator. Nearby Connecticut, New York and Maine have passed bans, and brands can withdraw from states at any time. See Massachusetts sweepstakes casinos for brand-level notes.
Can I use a Connecticut online casino from Massachusetts?
Not while you're in Massachusetts. Connecticut and Rhode Island license online casinos, but their sites use location checks and only accept players physically inside those states. Federal law's exclusion for intrastate wagers depends on that age and location verification. If you're physically in Connecticut and meet its age rules, you could use a licensed app there, then it stops working once you cross back. Our Connecticut online casinos page explains that market.
Where can I get help for gambling in Massachusetts?
Call the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-327-5050, or text GAMB to 800327. It's free and confidential. You can also reach the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) by call, text or chat. Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon for families and blocking apps like Gamban are other options. In a crisis, call 911 or 988. Our National Problem Gambling Helpline page explains what to expect.
Can I play online slots for real money in Massachusetts?
Not on any Massachusetts-licensed site, because the MGC has never licensed an online casino, and slots are casino games. Licensed real-money slots in the state are found only at its three commercial casinos, where the MGC oversees the games and how disputes are handled. Offshore sites do offer slots to players in Boston, Worcester and Springfield, but the Attorney General says offering online casino games without an MGC license violates state law. If you're weighing the cost of slot play anywhere, our Massachusetts online slots page explains RTP and expected loss in dollars.
Did Massachusetts send BetOnline a cease-and-desist letter?
Yes: the Massachusetts Attorney General sent cease-and-desist letters to BetOnline.ag and Sportsbetting.ag on June 25, 2025, describing both as illegal offshore casino and sports betting operations. Neither holds an MGC license, and only seven mobile sportsbooks are licensed in the state. The AG used the same approach against Bovada's operator in October 2024. If a sportsbook doesn't carry the MGC's Official Seal of Approval and isn't on the licensed list, it isn't regulated in Massachusetts. Our BetOnline review covers the brand, and the cease-and-desist letters explainer shows what these letters mean.
Is Silver Oak Casino licensed in Massachusetts?
No, Silver Oak Casino holds no Massachusetts license, and no online casino does. Silver Oak publishes a license from Anjouan through Primrose Media Limited, which is an overseas license, not a US state one. The Michigan Gaming Control Board also named Silver Oak in its April 9, 2025 cease-and-desist release as an illegal offshore operator. It isn't named in the Massachusetts AG actions recorded here, but the AG's position covers any operator without an MGC license. Read the Silver Oak review and our explainer on the Anjouan license before you decide.
Does using Bitcoin make offshore casinos legal for Massachusetts players?
No: paying with Bitcoin doesn't turn an online casino into a legal one, and no online casino holds an MGC license. The Attorney General's position, that offering online casino games to residents without an MGC license violates state gaming laws, applies whatever currency the site takes. Crypto also removes a safety net you'd have with a card, because a blockchain transfer can't be pulled back by your bank. Silver Oak, for example, takes Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum deposits but pays out in Bitcoin only. Our Massachusetts crypto casinos page covers fees, timing and the risks in more depth.
Has the Massachusetts Lottery launched online ticket sales?
Online lottery sales were authorized in Massachusetts in 2024, but we haven't confirmed that the app has launched. A public radio report on April 28, 2026 said the Massachusetts State Lottery expected its app that summer, so check the lottery's own channels for the current position. Even once it's live, an online lottery won't offer casino-style slots or blackjack, because state law still doesn't allow online casino games. For how other states run lottery sales on the web, see our state lotteries online guide and the Massachusetts gambling laws page.
How long do offshore casino withdrawals take for Massachusetts players?
Often a week or more, and no Massachusetts regulator can speed one up. Silver Oak's terms describe a review of 7 to 10 business days followed by payment in another 7 to 10 business days, with a weekly limit starting at $2,500. Reviewers report a $2,500 weekly cap and slow payouts at Planet 7, while Decode's reported cap is $2,500 or $5,000, depending on the source. Verification usually has to be finished before the clock starts. Our Massachusetts fast payout casinos page and casino withdrawal times guide set out the published figures.
We use no tracking cookies. We store one item in your browser to remember this notice. Casino sites may set their own cookies after you follow an advert link. Cookie policy
