While neighboring states like Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut have all introduced online poker betting to their residents, Massachusetts still doesn’t offer any state-licensed poker sites.
Although this is inconvenient, it doesn’t completely leave you without options. You can sign up with an online sweepstakes site operating in the state or register with an offshore poker platform offering real money games.
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Great casino offer On this page, we’ll discuss the current regulation landscape in Massachusetts, its potential, and share our picks for the best online sites available to Massachusetts residents. So, without any delay, let’s get into it!
Can I Play Online Poker in Massachusetts?
Yes, you can play online poker in Massachusetts by signing up with a sweepstakes site or an offshore online poker platform. That said, there are currently no state-licensed online poker operators available.
Massachusetts Online Poker Facts
| Available options | Sweepstakes operators & offshore sites |
| State-regulated poker sites | Not available |
| Age limit for Massachusetts online poker | 21+ |
| Best MA poker site | CoinPoker |
Best Online Poker Sites in Massachusetts
Unfortunately, Massachusetts poker players still can’t play on sites like PokerStars, 888poker, and other big names available in regulated US states. However, this doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of trusted online poker sites. Below, we’ll discuss the top three online poker sites for Massachusetts players:
#1. CoinPoker – The Best Pick for Massachusetts Players
CoinPoker is the leading offshore poker site for Massachusetts players seeking a real-money online poker experience. The tournament schedule is robust, and the game environment supports No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and Pot Limit Omaha 5. You can find heads-up, four-handed, and seven-handed tables on its platform.
CoinPoker sets itself apart as a crypto-first online poker room, offering a 150% welcome bonus up to $2,000, along with a 33% rakeback program for players who meet the CHP token-holding requirements. You can also find daily leaderboards with prize pools of $1,000 and monthly leaderboards with prize pools of $15,000.
#2 ClubWPT Gold – Trusted WPT Brand For Casual Players
ClubWPT Gold stands out for its trusted brand reliability and accessible sweepstakes model, which enables it to legally operate its platform in Massachusetts. The site offers 15,000 Gold Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins to new players, and supplements this with a daily freeroll promotion where you can collect free coins simply by logging in and playing every day.
The site currently only hosts Texas Hold’em games, but still offers a great variety, with plenty of ring games and MTTs to choose from at all times. Overall, for casual play and legitimate prize eligibility rather than pro-level grinding, ClubWPT Gold hits the sweet spot.
#3. Stake US – Low-Stakes Poker Action and Casino Games
Stake is a unique sweepstakes poker site focused on cryptocurrency and privacy. New players are awarded 25 Stake Cash on registration and can collect up to 30 Stake Cash over the next 30 days by logging in daily. Additionally, it offers 5% lifetime rakeback to its players, which accrues continuously as you bet, rather than being provided at specific times like on most platforms.
Stake offers features you won’t find at many of its competitors. This includes features such as bomb pots, run-it-twice, and straddles. It pairs this with a sleek browser experience and a casino platform for those who want to play more than just poker during their online gambling sessions.
Free Poker vs Real-Money Games
Sweepstakes poker and real-money online poker feel almost identical. You can explore the same game types like Hold’em and Omaha, the same tournament formats, and the same strategic decisions. But there is a significant legal difference between sweepstakes and real-money games.
Real-money poker requires licensed operators, regulated payment rails, and state authorization because players wager cash that can be redeemed immediately.
Sweepstakes poker sites replace direct cash wagers with a dual-currency model that uses play tokens and sweepstakes tokens. In other words, it runs as a promotional contest, enabling Massachusetts residents to play for redeemable prizes even though traditional online poker is not licensed.
Sweepstakes Model Explained
Most sweepstakes poker sites use two currencies: Gold Coins for social play and Sweeps Coins for prize-eligible play. Gold Coins are bought or sometimes given, have no cash value, and are used for casual tables.
Sweeps Coins are issued free as a bonus tied to Gold Coin purchases or promotions and can be converted to cash when redeemed according to the operator’s rules. Let’s take a look at a practical example to illustrate this. For example, you buy $25 worth of Gold Coins. The operator gives you 200,000 GC for entertainment play and a 25 SC bonus.
You use 25 SC to enter a tournament with a 25 SC buy-in and finish in the money, winning 125 SC. The operator’s current redemption rate converts 125 SC into $125, and you are free to redeep it. Meanwhile, your Gold Coins remain available for social play.
Because the Sweeps Coins were granted as a “free promotional credit” rather than purchased directly, this prize redemption is treated as a sweepstakes fulfillment rather than a gambling payout.
Regulation Landscape in Massachusetts
While Massachusetts doesn’t currently allow real-money online poker, the state has shown steady progress toward broader online gambling regulation. This would be a logical next step following its 2011 casino law and its 2023 online sports betting law.
There have been several bills aimed at authorizing online poker and casino games, using the same structure as for sports betting. If approved, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission would handle licensing, taxation, and responsible gaming oversight. If legislation passes, residents could see a regulated online poker landscape in the near future.