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Casinos in Massachusetts

On this page, you will learn everything you need to know about casinos in Massachusetts, including if there are land-based casinos in MA, a list of them all, and much more.

Johnny Covers By: Johnny Covers
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As part of the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act of 2011, Massachusetts fully legalized casino gambling to allow for in-person casinos to begin making plans to open. As part of the legislation, three resort casinos and one slot machine parlor were licensed to operate in the state as casino operators rushed to The Bay State to begin making plans.

Lawmakers came to the agreement in an attempt to generate tax revenue for the state, create jobs, and stimulate the local economy. By 2015, Plainridge Park Casino was opened in Plainville, MA, becoming the state’s first slot parlor, offering electronic slot machines, electronic table games, and even harness racing with a full-scale horse track.

By 2018, MGM Springfield in Springfield, MA had opened its doors, becoming the first full-scale resort casino in the state and the first of three resort casinos allowed to launch under the 2011 legislation.

Yes, there are three fully licensed and regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) legal land-based casinos in Massachusetts as of today. The 2011 Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act paved the way for each of them, with the first opening in 2015 in the form of the Plainridge Park Casino and Raceway.

Fast forward to today, and the state has three two resort casinos (Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield) and one slot parlor (Plainridge), each type generating hundreds of millions in tax revenue for the state. In 2022, Massachusetts casinos combined to generate just north of $300 million in tax revenue for the state, with funds going to various state-funded programs including the Transportation Infrastructure Fund, the Community Mitigation Fund, the Local Aid Fund, and more.

In addition to tax revenue, the legal land-based casinos in Massachusetts have become the source of thousands of jobs for Massachusetts residents, continually stimulating the local economy while funding local government. A staple of the Massachusetts economy every year, legal land-based casinos, especially casinos in Boston, have been a major success in the state and will continue to be for years to come.

List of all casinos in Massachusetts


There are currently three casinos in Massachusetts, with Plainridge Park Casino being a slot parlor and raceway and MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor being full-scale resorts and casinos. Let’s take a closer look at each, including where you can visit them and how you can get in contact with them today.

Plainridge Park Casino

Plainridge Park Casino and Raceway was the first casino in Massachusetts, opening its doors in June 2015 just four years after land-based casinos became legal in the state. Located in Plainville, MA, Plainridge Park is on the smaller side of casinos in the state, Plainridge Park Casino and Raceway has just over 1,200 slot machines and a host of electronic table games with no live dealers.

The main attraction at Plainridge is no doubt its racetrack, which offers live harness racing events throughout the year where patrons can bet on the action. The casino features three restaurants, including Slack’s Oyster House & Grill, Flutie’s Sports Pub, and The Loft.

There is also a sportsbook at Plainridge Park Casino, where customers can bet on their favorite New England-based teams, as well as on sporting events throughout the world. With a casino combined with a race track and sportsbook, Plainridge Park Casino is one of the most robust casinos in Massachusetts in terms of its offerings.

  • Address: 301 Washington St, Plainville, MA 02762
  • Contact information: (508) 576-4500

MGM Springfield

Next up to open their doors in August 2018, MGM Springfield is a resort-style casino located in downtown Springfield, MA. A full-scale casino and resort in every sense, MGM Springfield offers its patrons thousands of slot machines in addition to table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook.

The BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield opened its doors on March 10, 2023, the day that legal sports betting became operational in MA. The very first sportsbook to open in the state, the BetMGM Sportsbook at MGM Springfield continues to bring in customers from all over the state.

With its BetMGM Sportsbook App being tied directly to the MGM Springfield, customers can earn BetMGM Rewards points across the properties' offerings as well as on their sportsbook app. Combined with the property's entertainment venues, bowling alley, theater, and several restaurants and bars, MGM Springfield has proven to be one of the most popular casinos in Massachusetts.

  • Address: One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103
  • Contact information: (413) 273-5000

Encore Boston Harbor

The most recent of the casinos in Massachusetts to open its doors, Encore Boston Harbor opened in June 2019. Located directly in Boston’s iconic Boston Harbor just outside the city limits, Encore Boston Harbor also features a luxury resort and is the most beautiful of three options for casinos in Massachusetts.

Encore Boston Harbor is also home to the largest casino gaming floor in the state, offering its customers more than 3,000 slot machines, 240 table games, and a massive poker room with more than a dozen tables. While there is no sportsbook on the property, patrons can still bet on sports via one of the state's online sportsbook apps while on the property.

In addition to the gaming options, there are several high-end dining options on the property, a spa, a theater, and a waterfront park for customers to enjoy. With a focus on luxury and fine dining, Encore Boston Harbor is a can’t-miss for casino resort enthusiasts throughout the state.

  • Address: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149
  • Contact information: (857) 770-7000

Are any more casinos opening in Massachusetts in the near future?

No, at this time there are no concrete plans for any more casinos opening in Massachusetts in the near future. It is worth noting that as part of the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act of 2011, the law allowed for three resort casinos and one slot parlor in MA.

Currently, there are only two operational resort casinos in Massachusetts, Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield, meaning there is room for one more. In the original legislation, it was noted that southeastern MA was permitted to open thethird resort casino in the state.

While the Massachusetts Gaming Commission could issue a license for a new property at any time, there have been a number of other legal and regulatory hurdles that have caused delays. With more than $300 million in tax revenue and thousands of jobs already being generated in the state from land-based casinos, it could just be a matter of time before more casinos are opening in Massachusetts.

Timeline of casinos in Massachusetts

With racetracks going back decades, casinos in Massachusetts are still relatively new to the state. Let’s take a closer look at the timeline of casinos in Massachusetts, and how we arrived in the landscape we find ourselves in today.

  • 2011: After years of debate and other hurdles, the Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act was passed., paving the way for three resort casinos and one slot parlor in the state. With a goal of creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and stimulating economic growth in MA, the act was a first step to allow for the planning of casinos in Massachusetts.
  • 2015: The very first casino in Massachusetts opened its doors in the form of Plainridge Park Casino and Raceway in Plainville, MA. The first casino to become operational since the 2011 law, Plainridge Park offers electronic table games, slot machines, and a harness racing track where patrons can watch and wager on races throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
  • 2018: The next casino to open its doors in Massachusetts was the MGM Springfield located in downtown Springfield, MA. The first full-service resort casino to ever open in the state, the gaming offerings include table games, over a thousand slot machines, several entertainment venues, a resort-style hotel, dining options, and more.
  • 2019: A year later, the latest casino in Massachusetts to open arrived in the form of Encore Boston Harbor located in Everett, MA. Owned and operated by Wynn Resorts out of Las Vegas, NV, the Encore Boston Harbor became the second of three resort casinos permitted to open under the 2011 Massachusetts Expanded Gaming Act. With more than 3,000 slot machines, table games including blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and more, and a poker room, Encore Boston Harbor offers the most robust gaming experience in the state. There is also a high-end resort on the property, numerous entertainment and dining options, and even a riverfront park for visitors to enjoy.
  • 2023: On March 10, 2023, Massachusetts sports betting became operational, with the first-ever sportsbook opening at MGM Springfield. With another sportsbook opening at Plainridge Park Casino later that year, the state began its full embrace of sports betting which now also includes legal Massachusetts sportsbook apps. Also monitored and regulated by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, sports betting became just another fruitful source of tax revenue for the state.

FAQ

Which casino games can I play in Massachusetts?

You can play a host of casino games in Massachusetts, including slot machines from all of the latest developers throughout the world. Table games are also available at casinos in Massachusetts and include blackjack, baccarat, roulette, Pai Gow poker, craps, and many more. Two of the casinos in Massachusetts, MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston Harbor, also offer full-scale poker rooms with dozens of tables hosting cash games and tournaments daily. Finally, at Plainridge Park and MGM Springfield, customers can now also bet on sports at fully licensed in-person sportsbooks.

Do Massachusetts casinos have promotions?

Yes, Massachusetts casinos have a number of promotions for customers to take advantage of. These include player rewards programs, slot machine tournaments, table game promotions, season events and giveaways, and sportsbook promotions. While most are designed for new customers, each also offers recurring promotions for existing and returning customers.

Are there any restrictions on alcohol consumption at Massachusetts casinos?

The restrictions on alcohol consumption at Massachusetts casinos include a minimum drinking age of 21 years old, serving hours that end at 2 a.m. (vary by local regulations), designated areas for alcohol service, and no outside alcohol being allowed in the state.

Are there any dress codes or restrictions for entry into Massachusetts casinos?

While there are no specific dress codes or restrictions for entry into casinos in Massachusetts, each of them reserves the right to refuse service to anyone they don’t approve of. Basic things such as footwear, inappropriate clothing, and non-revealing outfits should be considered.

Author Details

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers

Johnny Covers, known for his expertise in sports betting, serves as an author and analyst at MA Betting. With nearly ten years of experience in the field, he is recognized for his adeptness in handicapping. Johnny's comprehensive analyses have been showcased across numerous leading sports and betting platforms.