Massachusetts takes a decisive step toward regulating online casinos while banning sweepstakes platforms.
House Bill H.4431, filed by Rep. David K. Muradian, Jr., seeks to authorise online slot machines, table games, poker, and live dealer platforms, exclusively available to the three existing casinos—Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park. Licences would be valid for five years, with modest application fees and a 15% monthly gaming revenue tax.
The bill enforces strict player protections, including age verification, deposit limits, and AI-driven monitoring to detect risky behaviour. A Player Health Program is embedded to support responsible gambling. The legislation also prohibits sweepstakes casinos entirely, imposing fines and licence revocations for offenders.
If passed, Massachusetts would expand the Gaming Commission’s oversight to include online casinos, consolidating market power with current operators while raising state revenues. Critics, however, note the limited competition model and the strict sweepstakes ban.
