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The state of Massachusetts has released its latest gambling revenue figures, for November 2024, which show a 17.2% year-on-year increase in taxable revenue for the month, driven by growth in the online sports betting gambling sector, although casinos also posted reasonable growth despite making up only a relatively small amount of gambling. The month’s gambling revenue saw nearly $30 million in tax revenue.

Massachusetts Gambling

Massachusetts has reasonable options for gambling fans. The state has three physical casinos and passed legislation to legalize online sports betting in August 2022. However, online casinos are not yet regulated, which means casino gamers in the state turn to offshore options.

These offshore casinos include Solana casino sites, which accept cryptocurrencies, providing secure, anonymous betting on a wide variety of casino table games and slots. There are social and sweepstakes casinos available, but these offer restricted gambling opportunities compared to other online alternatives.

Out of the three physical casinos in Massachusetts, one is on Boston Harbor, one in Plainville, and there’s also one in Springfield. These casinos can also offer sportsbook betting, with parimutuel horse racing wagering having long been popular in the state.

Before the regulation of sports betting in the state, however, options for bettors were severely restricted with the only racetrack being located in Plainridge. The state lottery remains very popular with regular draw games and scratchcards, as well as pull tabs that can be purchased at bars around the state.

As well as the state’s three physical casinos, there are two new casinos planned, with Indian casinos planned in Aquinnah and Taunton. However, these have faced long-running legal disputes, and it is unclear exactly when they will open.

Regulations were passed in August 2022 that allowed mobile or online sports betting in the state. The new legislation was signed by Governor Charlie Baker and offered licenses to retail casinos, racetracks and simulcast centers, and online or mobile operators. The first mobile sportsbooks went live in the state in January 2023. Today, seven online sportsbooks are operating offering access to a wide range of games and bet types for punters to enjoy.

Total Revenue And Gambling Taxes

In November 2024, the Massachusetts gambling industry saw $878 million in total revenue across the state’s three physical casinos and its sports betting industry. Sports wagering made up almost 90% of this and accounted for $80 million in taxable revenue, raising $16 million in taxes for the state. Casino wagering from the table and slot games totaled $100 million. Slots continue to reign supreme, accounting for nearly $70 million of that total. Table games saw just over $30 million in gross gaming revenue. Overall, casinos collected $28 million in taxes for the state. This means that, despite the fact that online sports betting generates much higher revenue than sports betting, it generates much lower tax revenue.

Slot machines remain the game of choice at physical casinos. The games are usually preferred by punters because they are simple to learn but they can offer considerable jackpots and prizes, especially those games that include access to progressive and cumulative jackpots. This is equally true of online casinos as it is of retail casinos.

Online Casinos

However, Massachusetts gamblers do not currently have access to regulated online slots in their state. Many saw the move to regulate sports betting as being a potential first step towards online casino regulation, but there has been very little movement in this regard in the years since.

Across the US, only seven states currently have regulated online casino markets, compared to the nearly 40 states that have introduced regulated licensing for online sports betting.

States do have control over their own betting industries and regulations, but many regions are reluctant to legalize online casinos for fear that it will cannibalize existing retail casino revenues. Some states have also seen their efforts hampered following disputes with local tribes who, in many states, have exclusive rights to operate casinos within the borders.

Massachusetts enjoyed a positive month in gambling revenue and tax raised from gambling, thanks to its legalization of sports betting in 2022, and the introduction of the state’s first mobile sports betting options at the start of 2023.

If you or anyone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.