Other states oppose online social casinos, but Massachusetts lawmakers won’t touch them
An explosive circumstance concerning social online casinos in Michigan has recently raised concerns throughout the gaming industry. Michigan has legal online casino gaming, but Massachusetts lawmakers haven’t passed online casino legislation, and it seems that social casinos are permitted in the Bay State, at least for now.
Michigan recently barred Massachusetts-based Golden Heart Games from operating in the state, deeming it illegal gambling. This resulted in a domino effect in the industry, which also saw Virtual Gaming Worlds, owners of various online sweepstakes casinos, leave the Michigan market.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) doesn’t regulate sweepstakes casinos. Thomas Mills, Chief of the MGC communications division, detailed how gaming regulation operates in Massachusetts.
“The only forms of legal gambling that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission oversees and regulates include casino gaming at the Commonwealth’s Category 1 (Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield) and Category 2 (Plainridge Park Casino) casinos, simulcasting and horseracing, and both retail and online sports wager,” stated Mills. “Online casino gaming is not legal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The State Lottery under the Treasurer’s Office oversees the lottery (instant tickets, numbers games), and the Office of the Attorney General oversees daily fantasy sports.”
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell hasn’t made an issue about online social casinos in the state, as the gambling industry has been focused on sports betting advertising and ensuring casinos follow regulations.
Sweepstakes or social online casinos offer digital casino games but use virtual currency with no monetary value to wager instead of legal currency. However, customers can purchase digital currency and redeem winnings for cash prizes.
Because they’re unregulated, these sites don’t pay state taxes, and players have no recourse when they have issues. Michigan considered the Massachusetts-based Golden Heart Games a risk to residents.
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
