Lawmakers in Massachusetts Face Deadline for Online Casino Bills

Massachusetts lawmakers are once again under pressure as the legislative clock ticks toward November 19. Two separate bills could reshape online gambling in the state, but they are still stuck in committee. Both Senate Bill 235 and House Bill 332 have been on hold since early in the year, waiting for movement inside the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

Good to know

• DraftKings believes Massachusetts could bring in $275 million in tax revenue annually if online casino regulation passes.
• Each approved operator would need to pay $5 million for a five-year license.
• The plan allows 10 licenses, with three casinos able to partner with up to two online brands each.
• Massachusetts Attorney General recently cracked down on two unlicensed online gambling platforms.

Online gambling expansion has never moved quickly in Massachusetts. It took lawmakers three years to legalize retail casinos, and a similar delay played out with sports betting before it finally launched in 2022.

Now, a fresh proposal is back on the table. If either of the current bills becomes law, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission would take charge of licensing and oversight. The proposed structure would impose a 20% tax on adjusted gross revenue and cap the number of online casino licenses at 10.

Under the setup, the state’s three existing casinos would each be allowed to pair with two separate online partners. That would leave four standalone licenses open to other applicants who are not tied to land-based venues.

One company watching the process closely is DraftKings. Based in Boston, the firm has voiced support for the plan and sees big potential. Its internal estimates suggest that the state could eventually pull in around $275 million each year through taxation alone.

While lawmakers debate, enforcement has already started. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has taken action against two offshore operators—SportsBetting.ag and BetOnline.ag—accusing them of offering illegal gambling services to Massachusetts residents.

Both sites were allegedly pushing slots, poker, and sports betting options without any legal standing. On top of that, the Attorney General said they used U.S. celebrities and major league references to attract users, despite not being licensed by the MGC.

The cease-and-desist orders were paired with broader educational campaigns focused on reducing gambling harm, especially among younger people. The Attorney General’s office has said it will continue monitoring illegal operations while lawmakers weigh whether or not to move forward with regulating the legal ones.

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