Before you start gambling in the Bay State, it is important for you to be informed of the Massachusetts gambling ages. The reason for that is fairly simple. If you do not meet the required age to gamble, you cannot do so. Bookies and casino operators will not serve those who are underage in Massachusetts. Luckily for you, there are plenty of gambling options available in Massachusetts. From sports betting to casino games, online to offline, there are many different options available for those who want to gamble in Massachusetts.

1. Sports Gambling In Pennsylvania Age

But due to the variety of options that are available, there are a couple of different gambling ages that you need to be aware of. In Massachusetts, some forms of gambling allow you to start when you are 18 years or older while others require that you need to be at least 21 years old to gamble. This page is designed to answer your questions about how old you need to be to gamble in Massachusetts and give you some insight into the gambling scene in the Bay State.

Daily Fantasy Sports is a new type of sports betting adjacent activity, wherein fantasy sports are carved down to a daily contest type of competition, and people compete to pick the best team and score the most points. In Pennsylvania, the legal gambling age for Daily Fantasy Sports is 21 years old. Since that judgment, many stats have legalized sports betting and a huge industry has emerged. A survey conducted in February 2020 showed that 22 percent of respondents aged 30 to 44 bet on sports.

• Monday night, the Las Vegas Raiders play their first game in a new $2 billion stadium, the physical manifestation of a long, slow embrace between the N.F.L. And legal sports wagering.
• Generally speaking, the legal sports betting age at land-based sportsbooks is 21 years old. Now that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA, 1992) has been overturned, each state is allowed to set its own age minimums for its own sports wagering industry.

What Is The Legal Gambling Age At Casinos In Massachusetts?

If you want to gamble in the casinos of Massachusetts, you need to be at least 21 years or older. There a couple of land-based casinos that are available in the state along with casinos that are in boats. No matter which area you choose to go to, you need to be 21 years or older to gamble at any casino in Massachusetts. Trying to gamble underage could end you with some legal trouble, so we do not recommend you trying to do so.

Legal Online Casinos For Massachusetts Residents

To get the full gambling experience in Massachusetts, you do not need to go to a casino in the state. In fact, it would be more beneficial if you did not. Casinos are crowded and do not have many benefits for casino players. But online casinos such as Bovada have plenty of bonuses for casinos players. Sites like Bovada are completely legal and regulated and it will give you a better casino experience than a typical land-based casino.

Bovada – Win Big With Bovada At Home Or On Mobile

Casino games have never been better than with Bovada. Bovada is the industry leader when it comes to online gambling and they are trusted in the greater gambling community. Not only can you take advantage of Bovada while you are in the comfort of your own home. You can use your mobile device.

One way that Bovada proves they are the number one option for casino goers in Massachusetts is the number of bonuses they have. One of the best bonuses they have is without a doubt the $3,000 casino welcome bonus. For your first deposit, you will receive a 100% matching bonus for up to $1,000. Just enter the promo code NEWWELCOME. For your next two deposits, enter the promo code BV2NDCWB and you will receive the same exact bonus. If you want more out of your gambling experience, check out Bovada today.

Lucky Red Casino - 400% Sign Up Bonus

Lucky Red Casino allows players who are 21 years of age to play through their casino. If you live in Massachusetts, you will not be left out of the fun. Lucky Red gives their players the option of over 100 different games, many of which are backed by the 400% to $4,000 match bonus that the casino offers. You can collect this bonus through any of the many methods available. Since Lucky Red provides their players with the safe gambling center, you can expect to be a winner through their site. VISA, MasterCard, WinPalace, and many other deposit methods are available through Lucky Red.

Legal Massachusetts Online Casinos

Massachusetts Sports Betting Sites

If you are in Massachusetts, then you have plenty of gambling options available for you. Although there is no land-based sports betting available yet in the state, online sportsbooks have been legally taking action from locals for over 15 years now. Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are also fully regulated and accepted in Massachusetts. There are also a few casinos in-state along with all the online casinos that are available. This means that poker has a wide range of availability as well. From bingo to slots, Massachusetts has plenty of gambling options available.

What Is The Legal Sports Betting Age In Massachusetts?

If you want to bet on sports in Massachusetts, you have to be at least 21 years or older to do so. Typically, states match the legal sports betting age to the legal casino age. That is due to the fact that most sportsbooks are opened inside of casinos. Massachusetts does not yet have state-based sports betting, but waiting until you are 21 is the safest bet to be within the legal age while you bet online.

Legal Sports Betting Sites For Massachusetts Residents

There are a good number of legal sports betting sites for Massachusetts residents. They are the only method of sports betting in the state available due to the lack of retail sportsbooks. But even if brick and motor sportsbooks were open, online sportsbooks like BetOnline would have many more benefits available. Read our review to find out more.

BetOnline – The Best Site To Bet On Sports In Massachusetts

If you need a great site to bet on sports in Massachusetts, you cannot go wrong with BetOnline. The website has been around for many years and is one of the most trusted sportsbooks in the entire world. You can bet on the biggest football games or even obscure sports such as table tennis. The number of options you have on BetOnline is nearly endless.

The best way for new BetOnline users to take advantage of the website is the 50% Welcome Bonus. Just enter the promo code BOL1000 and you will receive a 50% matching bonus up to $1,000. That is plenty of extra funds to keep your new BetOnline account going. We highly recommend those in Massachusetts to take advantage of this bonus.

Bovada Sportsbook - Best For All Sports

One online sportsbook we promote above any other is that of

Legal Massachusetts Online Sportsbooks

What Is The Legal Poker Age In Massachusetts?

For younger gambling who want to get started sooner rather than later, the legal poker age in Massachusetts is 18. You might have trouble getting to poker tables in retail casinos, but our recommended poker sites will have no problem servicing those who are 18 years or older. Poker is a great way to get started for new gamblers and there are plenty of online sites to do so.

Legal Poker Sites For Massachusetts Residents

There are plenty of online legal poker sites for Massachusetts residents. BetOnline and Bovada not only provide casino games and sports betting, but you can also play poker on them as well. Our recommended online poker sites will reward you a large number of bonuses, no matter if you are new or a veteran player. We highly recommend them if you are interested in playing poker.

BetOnline - Top Poker Site in Massachusetts

If you are going to play poker online, we suggest you run with the poker room known as BetOnline. BetOnline's poker room is a favorites because they make sure each card drawn is random. There is no poker room that is more honest than BetOnline. They have a 100% match bonus, which is one of the best online. They give up to $1,000 in free cash. BetOnline's poker room has games covering the entire gambit, including stud and hold 'em games. Keep the Massachusetts gambling age in mind before you join.

Legal Massachusetts Poker Sites

What Is The Legal Gambling Age To Bet On Horses In Massachusetts?

The legal gambling age to bet on horses in Massachusetts is 18 years or older. Betting on the ponies is how plenty of gamblers get started due to the fact that kids can go to horse tracks. That gets newcomers introduced to the world of gambling and to accommodate that, many states elect to allow those 18 years and older to bet on horses.

Horse Betting Sites For Massachusetts Residents

The horse betting sites for Massachusetts residents are often preferred to be used over going to an actual horse track. The reason is horse tracks do not often give you many bonuses to take advantage of. But sites like Bovada provide a large number of bonuses that will help fuel your bank account. Plus, online racebooks take action on races around the world while in Massachusetts, you are stuck betting on only races happening in the United States.

How Old Do I Have To Be To Play The Lottery In Massachusetts?

You need to be at least 18 years old to play the lottery in Massachusetts. Playing the lottery is simple. All you need to do is buy a lottery card, scratch it, and see if you have any wins. It is a matter of luck if you win and it is a great way for younger bettors to get started with gambling in Massachusetts. Just be at least 18 years old and you will be ready to play the lottery in Massachusetts.

What Is The Legal Gambling Age For DFS In Massachusetts?

The legal gambling age for DFS in Massachusetts is 21 years or older. There are many states with DFS, but plenty of them do not fully regulate the activity. Massachusetts is one of the few states that have DFS fully regulated. Lawmakers decided that people in the state needed to be 21 years or older to play DFS contests on sites such as FanDuel or DraftKings. Once you are 21, you are more than free to participate as well.

Online Bingo For Massachusetts Residents

Bingo is one game we have not ignored, and we have found that you can play bingo online if you are above the legal gambling ages in Massachusetts. In order to play bingo online you only have to be 18 years of age, as per the legal gambling ages, though this could be raised to 21 if you join an online bingo hall with casino games.

Vic's Bingo - Open To Massachusetts Gamblers

Vic's Bingo provides players with a very secure bingo environment. They do not let players fall victim to hacks or thievery. They have over 300 patterns to play with, so the fun need never end. You can join only join Vic's Bingo if you are 21, however, as they also offer casino games. Vic's Bingo offers two unlimited deposit bonuses, which are good for 150% each. Vic's Bingo is one of the few bingo halls we promote, as it carries some of the best games, hottest bonuses, and safest software.

The United States has various laws that effectively dictate what gambling operations can occur within the Land of the Free. This page describes 18+ betting sports betting and the federal laws that coincide, whether for online or physical sportsbooks. Sports betting laws differ by country; domestically, betting can be addressed at the state or federal level.

Recently, the United States’ highest court assisted in the overturning of a PASPA, a federal law that prevented domestic state-regulated wagering operations in most of the country. Since the overturn, states have increased interest in the betting market and are looking to reap any and all benefits from the law’s de-federalization.

United States Sports Betting Laws

Following the repeal of PASPA, several US states have announced their plans to launch sports gambling venues within their borders. Nine states have active operations, another two states have passed legislation to allow wagering but have yet to launch, and multiple states have proposed legal betting bills.

Often, legislation concerning betting in states include clauses describing who will regulate and oversee operations, who may obtain an operator’s license, provisions for working at the venue, consumer tax configurations and where the tax revenue will go, what types of wagering will be made available, wagering restrictions, as well as, state minimum betting ages, and violation penalties.

Within these pieces of legislation are provisions that allow non-state residents visiting the state the capability to wager, as well as, general prohibitions toward minors under eighteen who participate in betting.

States’ wagering rules necessitate bettors to meet a minimum age requirement for participation. Most states require bettors to be at least 21 while only two states have confirmed allowing 18+ sports betting capabilities, such as Kentucky and Rhode Island. Rhode Island launched its sportsbook activities for public consumption just before the end of 2018. Kentucky has yet to pass its introduced sports betting legislation.

Many US States are interested in regulating domestic sports betting and utilizing its legalization as extra tax revenue.

Certain states are inclined to allow young bettors as old as eighteen to wager such as:

Most states only allow older gamblers who are at least twenty-one such as:

• Indiana (pending launch)
• Kentucky (pending launch)
• New Hampshire (pending launch)
• North Carolina (pending launch)

However, large the interest in legal sports gambling is, there are certain states that forbid sports gambling to occur within their borders such as Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Repeal of PASPA – Repeal of Barriers

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) limited domestic wagering by excluding these offerings in states outside of Nevada and other grand-fathered states. This allowed PASPA to effectively ban sports gambling for 25 years in most of the US, and through numerous litigation suits against grand-fathered states like Oregon, Montana, and so on, major athletic leagues and associations prevented these states from offering betting – making Nevada the sole source for state-based legal sports wagering.

PASPA created a provision to extend a deadline one year after the law’s effective date to allow states to introduce their own sports gambling legislation. However, relevant states, including New Jersey, failed to produce before the deadline. This allowed the prevention of introducing new or updated betting legislation at the federal level.

New Jersey eventually pushed back on this law by filing a lawsuit for discrimination, permitting a voter referendum to change the state’s constitution, and passed laws to allow sports wagering in the state regardless.

This stirred major league’s commissioners into action citing PASPA violations to stop NJ. The issue was dealt with in lower circuit courts who ruled in favor of the leagues, after numerous appeals the case finally received attention from the Supreme Court in 2016.

In 2018, SCOTUS ruled in favor of New Jersey on the 14^th of May and officially threw PASA out. This repeal allowed states equal rights concerning the choice of offering or outlawing this form of gambling within their state lines.

Other Federal Laws Affecting Betting: Federal Wire Act

Update: On January 14, 2019, the Department of Justice issued a reversal to their 2011 interpretation of the Wire Act, stating that the Federal Wire Act prohibits all forms of state-regulated online betting. The fallout from this decision has yet to be determined in its entirety, however many expect states and gambling providers to take legal action.

The Federal Wire Act of 1961 was also known to accompany PASPA in its prohibitive nature during the 2000s by cutting access to online gambling. However, the law was written in 1961, long before online access, so its application to the internet was not entirely explicit but rather interpreted.

The Wire Act combated illicit mafia activities which included racketeering through bookies and game-fixing through the early to mid-1900s. The Act addressed interstate communications regarding sports betting via wired facilities which at the time, encompassed telegraphs and telephone calls.

However, in 2011 the Department of Justice released a formal opinion memorandum that revisited the Wire Act’s modern interpretation and freed domestic US-based online non-sports gambling from its prohibition.

It would not be until PASPA’s formal repeal in 2018 that the Federal Wire Act would come into question once again. As of this writing, the Act has been determined to only prohibit US-based interstate wagering, not state-regulated online sportsbooks.

Online Sports Betting Laws

New Jersey and Nevada are the only states in the US with an operational online sportsbook for its state residents and visitors to enjoy. States considering the utilization of online betting platforms will more than likely implement geo-targeting features to prevent out of state bettors from accessing the state’s offers and to prevent violating another state’s rights to prohibit or permit their own state-regulated offerings. Massachusetts is awaiting the approval of their state-regulated online sports betting bill.

Most states allow their residents to freely access offshore bookmakers, without explicitly allowing or forbidding it. However, Connecticut and Washington strictly prohibit their residents from gambling online, even at licensed offshore brands. This situation is due to these states writing specific laws to prohibit bettor’s access to offshore online sportsbooks.

Licensed online sportsbooks hosted overseas are legally acceptable for American bettors to access. This remains accurate, so long as the state in which the bettor resides, or visits does not expressly prohibit access via a written law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does This Mean Anyone Can Bet in the US?

Those over the age of eighteen can legally bet online at 18+ sportsbooks, as well as, at domestic physical locations which allow 18 plus sports betting. Within states with 21+ sports gambling, bettors must be at least twenty-one before placing bets. There are no specific stipulations or requirements for betting other than these minimum age requirements.

Will Sports Betting Become More Popular?

In our opinion, yes! As more sports fans and fantasy sports fans come together and realize the potential for entertainment betting can provide it is sure that sports gambling popularity will grow in the US. There is evidence in the United Kingdom of the popularity of wagering as a pastime. Many companies are anticipating the explosion of interest over betting from TV cable providers to land-based casinos.

How Do I Find Out My State’s Sports Betting Laws?

Americans interested in staying up to date on the latest legislative news in their state can visit state government-run websites, await breaking news online, employ bill trackers on specific legislative pieces in motion, or bookmark and utilize our U.S. States allowing 18 and up sports betting resource page to learn the most current information regarding individual states and their sports gambling status. Once fully developed, our resource guide will describe exactly the stance each state has on sports betting with detailed information crucial for bettors.

What Sports Can I Even Bet On?

Online portals can offer a wide variety of betting entertainment over local bookmakers. The international brands we recommend offer wagering capabilities for Tennis events, Golf tours, Dart games, E-sports tournaments, MotorSport races, Table Tennis matches, Hockey games, Soccer, Basketball, Football, Baseball, Virtual Sports, UFC/MMA, Olympic Games, Winter Sports, Gaelic Games, Politics, Horse Races, Rugby, Snooker, and Cricket, among others. Oftentimes, online brands offer live betting options for events occurring around the world in real-time including the upcoming Super Bowl.

What Can’t I Bet On?

Sports Gambling In Pennsylvania Age

Internationally speaking, brands tend to cover all the bases. Therefore, if you cannot find the niche sport or event you are looking to bet on under one provider then it is more than likely another will offer it or that it is so obscure few brands will provide it. Now, this changes domestically, as states can include stipulations which forbid betting on local or state college teams. These terms are to protect vulnerable non-paid athletes and individuals from bribery and throwing games.