The state’s push for expanding its gambling market finds more backing
Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing a major shift in the state’s gambling landscape, and one of the region’s biggest operators is signaling conditional support. PENN Entertainment, which owns Plainridge Park Casino, has backed an effort to legalize online casinos—so long as digital platforms are required to partner with existing brick-and-mortar venues. The stance positions PENN differently from Wynn Resorts, which has pushed back over concerns that online gaming could siphon customers from physical casinos.
The debate centers on House Bill 4431, a proposal that would authorize up to nine online casino licenses. Supporters argue that a regulated market would help curb offshore gambling activity and introduce stronger consumer protections. Lawmakers also see an opportunity to capture new tax revenue at a time when neighboring states like Connecticut and Pennsylvania already operate established online casino markets.
PENN’s support hinges largely on the bill’s partnership model. By tying online operators to in-state casinos, companies like Plainridge Park could extend their gaming footprint without losing ground to independent online brands. Industry analysts say this approach could ease fears within the retail casino sector while still allowing Massachusetts to modernize its gambling framework.
The proposal also aims to give regulators clearer oversight of online betting behavior. A legal and supervised environment could reduce player reliance on unregulated offshore sites, which often lack responsible gaming safeguards. For consumers, that means more reliable payment systems, clearer dispute processes, and state-level accountability.
If the bill advances, Massachusetts could become the next state to merge online and land-based gambling interests under one regulated system. For now, operators, lawmakers, and responsible gaming advocates are closely watching what could be one of the state’s most consequential gambling decisions in years.
