Massachusetts Online Poker Rooms
Poker is legal in Massachusetts at the state’s licensed casinos under the Expanded Gaming Act of 2011. Encore Boston Harbor (24 tables) and MGM Springfield (15 tables) are the only live poker rooms in Massachusetts, but both options offer tournaments and cash games every day of the week.
These casinos hold a “Category 1 license”, which is defined in Section 2 of Chapter 194 as “a license issued by the commission that permits the licensee to operate a gaming establishment with table games and slot machines.” Chapter 23K defines “table game” as “a game, other than a slot machine, which is authorized by the commission to be played in a gaming establishment.”
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission explicitly lists their authorized table games and their game rules, which includes “poker” and game variations. The MSG’s rules for poker includes a list of authorized poker games that can be authorized by a state-licensed casino.
- Seven-card stud (high, high-low split and high-low split eight or better)
- Hold 'Em (high)
- Omaha (high, high-low split eight or better
- Five-card draw (high and low)
- Five-card stud (high)
- Mambo stud (high-low split six or better
- Five-card Omaha Poker
- Triple Draw Poker
- Badugi Poker
What Is The Legal Poker Age In Massachusetts?
The legal poker age in Massachusetts is 21 years old. General Laws Chapter 23K, Section 43 states that “Whoever, being under 21 years old, plays, places wagers at or collects winnings from, whether personally or through an agent, a game in a gaming establishment shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.”
This minimum age applies to all casino games and sports betting in the state, hinting that future Massachusetts online poker regulation will require players to be 21+. Ignition and BetOnline legally accept Massachusetts poker players starting at 18 since they fall under the purview of international regulations.
Live Poker Rooms In Massachusetts
Encore Boston Harbor
- Address: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
- Poker Room Phone: (857) 770-3600
- General Casino Phone: (857) 770-7000
- URL: www.encorebostonharbor.com/gaming/poker
- Encore Boston Harbor Poker Room Notes: Biggest poker room in Massachusetts with 24 tables. Has daily tournaments and cash games for high stakes, but also offers lower stakes poker to cater to all players. Offers No Limit Hold’em from $1/$3 up to $10/$25 and Pot Limit Omaha from $2/$2 up to $25/$25.
MGM Springfield
- Address: One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103
- Phone Number: (413) 273-5000
- URL: www.mgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com/en/casino/poker-room.html
- MGM Springfield Poker Room Notes: Offers daily poker promotions like the $500 early bird jackpot from 10 AM – Noon and a Bad Beat Jackpot for Texas Hold’em. Hosts 15 poker tables for Tournament Tuesdays, which is headlined by a $150 No Limit Hold’em tournament for up to 216 players.
Closest Live Poker Rooms
Most Massachusetts cities are closer to Encore Boston Harbor or MGM Springfield than out-of-state poker rooms, but cities in the easternmost point of the state are closer to Connecticut poker rooms. The closest live poker rooms for Provincetown residents are the Foxwoods Resort Casino (100 miles) and Mohegan Sun Casino (105 miles) in Connecticut since the Encore is 120 miles away.
Southeastern Massachusetts cities like New Bedford and Fall River are closer to the Encore (60 miles) than out-of-state poker rooms like the Foxwoods Casino (70 miles) or the Mohegan Sun (75 miles) in Connecticut. However, both of these poker rooms in Connecticut offer bigger poker rooms with more tables than the Encore Boston Harbor poker room.
FAQs - How To Play Poker In Massachusetts
Can You Play Poker At Home For Money?
Casual players won’t be prosecuted for hosting home poker games, but there are some guidelines to follow when hosting a social poker game. Massachusetts law classifies poker as “lottery”, aka a game of chance, and the law prohibits waging money on these games outside of licensed casinos.
However, if no rake is collected by the host and the social poker game is conducted in a private setting, there won’t be any legal trouble. MGL Chapter 271, §2 prohibits gambling in public places where trespassing occurs, so hosting the social poker game at a private home will be exempt from this law.
Can I play On PokerStars In Massachusetts?
Massachusetts residents don’t have access to PokerStars or other state-regulated poker operators. Massachusetts online poker legislation has been discussed but nothing has passed yet, meaning residents can’t play online poker at PokerStars.
Is Ignition Poker Legal In Massachusetts?
Ignition Poker is available in Massachusetts and accepts online poker players through a legal gray area. Ignition operates outside U.S. jurisdiction and is officially licensed and regulated overseas, making it a legit online poker site that can accept US players.
Players don’t face prosecution for playing poker at Ignition or any other online poker site since state gaming commissions target operators, not players. Ignition is the best option of any online poker rooms in Massachusetts, offering daily poker tournaments for No Limit Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker.
Is Bovada Legal In Massachusetts?
Bovada won’t accept any poker deposit from a player that resides in Massachusetts. According to their terms and conditions, “Bovada remains open to United States residents, except for those living in the following states,” which follows with a list of states with poker that includes Massachusetts.
Bovada operates offshore and accepts poker players from most states, but on their own terms, don’t take players from Massachusetts.
Is Bet Online Poker Available in Massachusetts?
BetOnline is another reliable offshore poker site for Massachusetts players looking to play Omaha or Texas Hold’em online. BetOnline has accepted Massachusetts online poker players for over a decade with none of their players facing any kind of legal repercussions.
BetOnline welcomes new players with a 100% first deposit match up to $1,000 and 21 free tournament tickets distributed across an eight-day span. These tickets are for satellite tournaments where a player can qualify for free at the Sunday Showdown, which offers a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool and a $109 entry fee.