Gambling in Massachusetts grew by 84.9% in 2021 from 2020. The state is the fastest growing of the New England trio in this regard, even though online gambling is still yet to pass legislation. There are ways to play Massachusetts online poker, and this is via offshore poker sites.
In this article, we’re going to look a little deeper at how these offshore poker sites work, including in-depth reviews, information on bonuses and promotions, types of games you can access, and payment options. We will also look at the current state of poker laws in MA, overviewing any outstanding bills and forecasting what might happen in the future.
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List of the Best Massachusetts Poker Sites
We’ve included a list of the best Massachusetts poker sites in the industry below. Each of the sites have been extensively reviewed, with a short selling point that highlights the best bits of the poker room.
- BetOnline – The Best Massachusetts Online Poker Site
- Bovada – Best Online Poker Welcome Bonus
- Lucky Block – The best crypto casino for poker in MA
- Everygame – Huge Range of Payment Options
- SportsBetting.ag – Very Easy to Claim Welcome Bonus
- Ignition – Some of the Best Poker Freerolls on the Market
The Latest Massachusetts Poker News
Legislation surrounding online poker in Massachusetts is constantly evolving. Below we’ve taken a look at the most up-to-date information on what’s happening within the state.
- 2020 – Most recent attempt to legalize online gambling in the state was issued in the form of the Economic Development Bills. Initially, this included sports betting which would then lead to online gambling, but as a result, it was removed and dropped completely.
- 2015 – The first land-based casino, Plainridge Park Casino, opens its doors in the state.
- 2011 – Expanded gambling act was signed into law with the Initial proposal to include online poker, but was later rejected.
Reviews of the Best Massachusetts Poker Sites
We’ve expanded from the list of the best Massachusetts poker sites above and created more in-depth reviews of each site. Use these reviews to see which is going to be the best fit for you. While we recommend all five of these sites, they each offer something different that may suit one player more than another.
It’s also worth noting that all these poker rooms are located offshore meaning they can be accessed by Massachusetts residents.
1. BetOnline – The Best Massachusetts Online Poker Site
Poker site facts:
- Website: BetOnline
- Payout time: within 24 hours
- Established: 2004
- License: Panama
- Headquarters: Antigua and Barbuda
Our Verdict: 4.9/5
The BetOnline poker site gives you access to both a downloadable and instant play room. The brand has been about for over 25 years and is now widely recognized as one of the biggest and best Massachusetts online poker sites for real money.
The site is constantly evolving, with new features being added all the time. A great example of this is the inclusion of games such as Six Plus Hold’em, which reduces the deck from 52 cards to just 36, adding a totally different dynamic.
Link this with the likes of anonymous tables, poker odds calculators, a huge range of table customization options, low-quality player pools, and huge guaranteed prize pools, and you’ve got the best Massachusetts online poker room in the business.
Poker Game Variety at BetOnline: 4.9/5
BetOnline resides on the Chico Poker Network, which is one of the larger online platforms. Players will range from 1000-10,000 players, depending on the time of day.
Cash games consist of Hold’em and Omaha, with a mix of short-hand and full-ring games. Stakes start from 5c/10c and run up to as high as $15/$30. Overall, the standard of play is low, with a lot of recreational players coming from the sports betting and casino sections.
Payment Options 4.6/5
BetOnline has recently switched to allow a greater range of crypto options that include Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and ApeCoin. This allows users to deposit and withdraw within a matter of minutes, rather than hours or even days.
They also include traditional banking methods such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Wire Transfer. However, most of these will have fees attached based on the size of the deposit/withdrawal.
Customer Support: 4.8/5
Support options start with the detailed help center that allows you to get answers to the most popular queries. You can also access their live chat function that’s on hand 24/7 to get more detailed answers to your queries.
Bonuses and Promotions: 4.8/5
The poker welcome bonus is a 100% match worth up to $1,000. You need to use the BetOnline promo code “INSIDERS” to access, and this can be claimed with deposits of $50 or more. You release the welcome offer by raking $50 for $5 worth of the bonus. The bonus expires after 30 days.
BetOnline Online Poker Bonuses & Promos:
| Bonus name | Bonus amount | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit | Bitcoin accepted? |
| Poker Sign-up Offer | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $5 for every $50 raked | $50 | ✅ |
2. Bovada – Best Online Poker Welcome Bonus
Poker site facts:
- Website: Bovada
- Payout time: 1-2 business days
- Established: 2011
- License:
- Headquarters: Costa Rica
Our Verdict: 4.7/5
Bovada is one of the biggest online poker sites in the industry. They are always adding and creating new features, with some of the standouts including Zone Poker, anonymous tables, an all-in percentage feature, and brilliantly designed tables.
You’re able to choose how you want to access the poker room, with download and instant-play (within the browser) features. On top of this, you can use the mobile poker site, for use with Android and iOS devices.
Poker Game Variety at Bovada: 4.8/5
Game coverage at Bovada is excellent and is one of the main reasons why we rank them as one of the best MA online poker sites in the state. Cash games start from just 2c/5c and work up to $10/$20. However, the crossover between sports and casinos means that the standard of play is low. Anonymous tables keep the regular players away with a high percentage of recreational poker players to pick off.
Payment Options: 4.9/5
Deposits start from just $20 and include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and a range of crypto. It’s likely that crypto is going to be the best option for most, with Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash all offering zero fees and instant deposits and withdrawals.
Customer Support: 4.5/5
Live chat is the best way to get in touch with the customer support team. They are one of the best in business and are accessible 24/7. You can also use the main help center online which covers a wide range of topics for your basic account and game queries.
Bonuses and Promos: 4.9/5
Bovada allows you to claim up to $500 in bonus cash for new accounts. This is a 100% match on your opening deposit of $20 or more and while is not the biggest bonus you can claim, it is the easiest claim, with clearing rates et at $5 released for every $10 that you wager.
Bovada Online Poker Bonuses & Promos:
| Bonus name | Bonus amount | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit | Bitcoin accepted? |
| Poker Sign-up Offer | 100% up to $500 | INSIDERS | $5 for every $10 raked (150 Rewards Points) | $20 | ✅ |
3. Lucky Block – The best crypto casino for poker in MA
Casino facts:
- Website: https://www.luckyblock.com
- Payout time: Same day
- Established: 2022
- License: Curaçao
- Headquarters: Curaçao
Our Verdict: 4.3/5
Massachusetts casino players can play over 6,000 casino games at this offshore crypto casino. The collection of game sinclude video poker games like Jacks or Better but also twists like Turbo Poker. The live casino also has plenty of poker lobbies with live dealers to choose from including Texas Hold ‘Em Bonus Poker. There is also a sportsbook with over 35 sports available with a good choice of prop bets included for sports ranging from MMA to motorcycle racing. There are also markets for esports tournaments for games like NBA2K.
You can be a member in no time thanks to their quick and simple sign up procedure that only requires a username, email address, and a password to complete. This crypto casino is available in the app so when you have to leave your desktop device you can continue playing on the go.
Casino Game Variety at Lucky Block: 5/5
Outside of poker, the amazing collection of 6,000 games includes online slot machines from a good mix of developers including the likes of NetEnt and Thunderkick. They come in a variety of themes with lots of different bonus features like expanding wilds, gamble functions, and bonus spins. You can still enjoy all of your favourite table games in emulators of blackjack, roulette, and baccarat with unique twists like Blackjack Gold, Three Wheel Roulette, and Baccarat Supreme. The live casino is stacked with live lobbies for these games too as well as dozens of variations. Try out the gameshow style games from Evolution Gaming too.
Payment Options: 4/5
You can deposit using only cryptocurrencies but you have a range of choices like Bitcoin, Tether, and Cardano. Using crypto coins allows for more security than traditional methods.
Customer Support: 4.3/5
You can contact Lucky Block via an email address or using the live chat box function. There is a difference in response time as email replies will take hours longer than in the chat box. Unfortunately there are no FAQs or help guides for guidance.
Bonuses & Promos: 4/5
The welcome offer includes bonus funds and bonus spins. Once you’re a member there is a game of the week promotion and a weekly reload bonus.
| Bonus Name | Bonus amount | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit | Bitcoin accepted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino Sign-up Offer | 200% up to $10,000 + 50 spins | N/A | 10% of bonus funds made available after each 6x wagering of original deposit | $20 | ✅ |
- Limited information required to sign up
- Massive collection of games
- Quick payouts
- Good choice of cryptocurrencies for banking
- The games are difficult to navigate
- You cannot withdraw straight to your bank
4. Everygame – Huge Range of Payment Options
Poker site facts:
- Website: Everygame
- Payout time: 48 hours
- Established: 1996 (2011 as the current Everygame brand)
- License: Curacao Gaming Commission
- Headquarters: Antigua and Barbuda
Our Verdict: 4.5/5
A strong alternative to the likes of BetOnline and Bovada is Everygame. This poker site is located on the Horizon Poker Network, which is one of the fastest-growing in the industry.
The poker room benefits from several features, such as fully customizable mobile layouts, rabbit cams, download/instant play options, slick design, anonymous tables, and up to 36% rakeback. Everygame also includes the biggest bonus welcome match (200%), which we talk more about in the promo section.
Poker Game Variety at Everygame: 4.5/5
Games start at just 2c/4c and are some of the softest in the industry. You can switch between Hold’em and Omaha, with variations of each that include no limit, pot limit, limit, heads up, short ring, full ring, and speed poker. Tournaments run daily with the highlights being the Sunday Majors.
Payment Options: 4.7/5
Transactions for payment options start at $20 and include a wide range, such as Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. The best way to bank with the site is by using crypto which allows you to access instant deposits and withdrawals. You can use the likes of Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin for this.
Customer Support: 4.5/5
The help center on-site allows you to cover most of the common issues that you might come across at Everygame. Failing that you can either use the live chat function which is accessible 24/7 or you can email them using the address on the site.
Bonuses and Promos: 4.4/5
The welcome bonus at Everygame is a 200% match worth up to $1,000. You can also get 25 free spins at the casino with this using the Everygame promo code “INSIDERS”. To clear the welcome offer, you need to earn 85.55 in Frequent Player Points to release $5 of your bonus. You earn 1 FPP for every $1 raked.
Everygame Online Poker Bonuses & Promos:
| Bonus name | Bonus amount | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit | Bitcoin accepted? |
| Poker Sign-up Offer | 200% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $5 for every $83.335 raked (83.555 FPP) | $25 | ✅ |
5. Sportsbetting.ag – Very Easy to Claim Welcome Bonus
Poker site facts:
- Website: Sportsbetting.ag
- Payout time: 24-48 hours
- Established: 2011
- License: Panama
- Headquarters: Panama
Our Verdict: 4.5/5
Sportsbetting.ag has an excellent online poker. It runs on the same platform as BetOnline, utilizing the Chico Poker Network. In terms of games and the opponents, the sites are identical, but there are reasons why you may want to choose Sportsbetting.ag over BetOnline.
You’re going to get access to exclusive tournaments that are only accessible here. On top of this, they have different bonuses and promotions, so if you’re a fan of BetOnline, you can jump across here to claim the bonuses and essentially play on the same platform.
Poker Game Variety at Sportsbetting.ag: 4.8/5
Games across the board include Texas Hold’em and Omaha. The coverage is excellent, but the lack of mixed games marks them down a little. You can access these games from stakes as low as 1c/2c and they go as high as $5/$10. Tournaments are run around the clock, but like most, the biggest and best come at the weekend, specifically within the Sunday Majors that over $250,000 guaranteed.
Payment Options: 4.4/5
Crypto is the best form of payment method to use as it means you get money in and out in the fastest possible time. Deposits start from just $20 and withdrawals are processed instantly. You can use more traditional payment methods, which include Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Wire Transfers with deposits starting from $50.
Customer Support: 4.4/5
The support team is accessible 24/7. The best way to get in touch is via the live chat function on-site. You can also reach out via Twitter (@SportsbettingAG) who will get back to you relatively quickly.
Bonuses and Promos: 4.4/5
The welcome bonus is a 100% match worth up to $1,000. You need to deposit $50 or more to trigger the bonus and will release it in stages of $5 until the bonus is cleared. Use the Sportsbetting.ag promo code “INSIDERS” to claim this offer.
Sportsbetting.ag Online Poker Bonuses & Promos:
| Bonus name | Bonus amount | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit | Bitcoin accepted? |
| Poker Sign-up Offer | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $5 for every $50 raked | $50 | ✅ |
6. Ignition – Some of the Best Poker Freerolls on the Market
Poker site facts:
- Website: Ignition
- Payout time: Up to 48 hours
- Established: 2002
- License: Curacao
- Headquarters: Curacao
Our Verdict: 4.4/5
The Ignition poker room is an excellent addition to our list of the best Massachusetts online poker rooms. It’s located on the Bodog poker network, which means that traffic is incredibly stable and the lower and mid stakes, even at off-peak times.
Given that the MA online poker room has a lot of crossover from sports and casinos, games are softer than most. It’s also worth noting that they limit the max number of tables that you can play at any one time to four. This discourages grinders who play a huge number of hands, making the games much more enjoyable.
Poker Game Variety at Everygame: 4.5/5
Omaha and Hold’em are the main games at Everygame. Stakes start from as little as 2c/4c which means that they are welcoming of low-stakes players. Tournament coverage is superb and included a strong mix of regular, turbo, hyper turbos, satellites, guaranteed prize pools, and jackpots.
Payment Options: 4.4/5
The range of payment options at Ignition is a little smaller than some, but they process payment incredibly quickly, which more than makes up for it. Like others, we recommend that you use some of the crypto options, such as Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash. Alternatively, you can use traditional methods such as Visa, American Express, and Mastercard.
Customer Support: 4.4/5
The support team can be accessed via their live chat function. This is open 24/7 or you can use the FAQ/help center for a lot of the more day-to-day queries.
Bonuses and Promos: 4.3/5
New accounts to the Ignition poker room can claim a welcome bonus worth up to $1,000 for credit or debit card deposits and $1,5000 for crypto payments. Bonuses clear at the rate of $1 for every 30 points claimed and both are triggered by deposits of $20 or more.
Ignition Online Poker Bonuses & Promos:
| Bonus name | Bonus amount | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit | Bitcoin accepted? |
| Poker Sign-up Offer Credit/Debit Card | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $1 for every 30 Points | $20 | ❌ |
| Poker Sign-up Offer Crypto | 150% up to $1,500 | INSIDERS | $1 for every 30 points | $20 | ✅ |
FAQs About Poker in Massachusetts
Is online poker legal in Massachusetts?
When will online poker be legal in Massachusetts?
Can I play poker on Bovada in Massachusetts?
Are there poker rooms in Massachusetts?
Can you play online poker for money in Massachusetts?
What are the best online poker sites in Massachusetts?
Comparing Poker Sites in Massachusetts
We’ve reviewed the best Massachusetts online poker sites in the state. The table gives an overview of the range of games and information on any bonuses you can claim as a new player. Use the reviews above to find out more information on how each site works in greater detail.
| Poker Room | Poker Bonus | Promo Code | Casino Poker | Freerolls | Qualifiers | Live Poker |
| BetOnline | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | 18 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bovada | 100% up to $500 | INSIDERS | 5 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Everygame | 200% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | 5 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sportsbetting.ag | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | 15 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ignition | 150% up to $1,500 | INSIDERS | 4 | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Is Online Poker Legal in Massachusetts?
Online poker is not regulated in Massachusetts. There have been multiple attempts to include poker within potential gambling bills, but as yet, none have passed.
But you can access online poker rooms that are based offshore. All the sites that we recommend on this page are offshore poker sites and accept new players to play online poker for real money from Massachusetts.
It is expected that online poker will be regulated at some point. The wheels are in motion for sports betting to enter the state in 2023, which gives us an indication that online poker won’t be too far away.
Massachusetts Online Poker Laws
Massachusetts online poker options are limited to offshore and land-based casinos. Each comes with varying laws, which we have outlined below:
- Minimum age – The state has a minimum gambling age of 21, which poker follows. For live poker, you need to be 21 to even enter the casino, let alone play the game.
- Live poker options – Massachusetts has two casinos that have dedicated poker rooms. These include the Encore Boston Harbor and the MGM Springfield.
- Access – Poker is limited to playing on offshore poker sites or within any of the named casinos above. You can also play home poker games, which are legal.
When Will Online Poker be Legal in Massachusetts?
The timeline for the legalization of MA online poker is uncertain. The state seems to go through phases of gathering steam to legalize poker, which ultimately then fails to get through the house.
It’s far from a lost cause, with online sports betting hoping to be passed in 2023. Massachusetts has also legalized Daily Fantasy Sports, which is a sign that they are open to the idea of online gambling for a while.
Unfortunately for Massachusetts online poker in general, it’s usually the last one of the big three (sports, casino, and poker) to be passed. It usually is thrown into a mix of a sports or casino bill that covers poker, so it’s unlikely that it will be part of its own bill.
Tax on Online Poker Winnings in Massachusetts
One of the biggest draws of offshore poker sites is that Massachusetts residents will not be required to pay tax on any winnings. There are no requirements to include earnings or losses on tax forms, working in much the same way as gambling within most European countries.
That is likely going to change should online poker be regulated. One of the most recent proposals was for a 20% operating tax on in-person betting and 35% tax for online. However, this is targeted more toward the poker rooms, than the players, although this will almost certainly be offset by players in some form.
Regulated Poker Sites vs Offshore Poker Sites
In terms of the barebones of how each of the site’s function for players, the differences between regulated MA poker sites and offshore poker sites will be minimal. Differences will occur in how they operate, which we’ve outlined below.
- Tax – Offshore poker sites won’t be subject to any tax, which could result in huge savings. It’s a certainty that regulated sites will require you to file winnings on your tax return, but it’s not clear how much this will be. As an example, New Jersey charges 24% on all gambling winnings.
- Player pools – Regulated sites will be limited on the number of people that are on the site due to only accepting players from other regulated sites. It’s plausible that Massachusetts goes down the route of only allowing play against people within the state. Offshore poker rooms have few limitations, meaning player pools are substantially larger.
- Regulation – Offshore poker sites are not regulated in the US meaning that they do not have to adhere to US poker laws. This means that players take a risk in accessing these types of sites where they will be covered by laws from the country in that the poker room is licensed.
Will Massachusetts be Ring-Fenced or Shared Player Pool?
Ring-fenced player pools are where players are only able to play against others from within the same state. Shared player pools are where they can play against players from all regulated states in the United States.
The best case scenario when Massachusetts online poker becomes regulated is that they have access to shared player pools. This will massively increase the number of players at any given time, meaning that not only are there more games to choose from, but a much more diverse range of players to play against.
How to Play Online Poker in Massachusetts
We’ve ranked BetOnline as the best online poker site in Massachusetts. The guide below shows you how to quickly create an account, make your first deposit, and start playing for real money.
1. Create BetOnline Account
To kick things off you need to click on this link and enter the BetOnline poker site. Once here click on the green “join” button in the top right corner.
2. Enter Account Information
You will be prompted with a series of forms that you need to fill out. This will include information such as your name, email address, and home address. You can create a username and password that is unique to your account as well.
3. Make a Deposit
Once the account has been set up, head to the cashier. Here you can choose between a range of deposit options. Use the one that is most convenient for you and use the BetOnline poker promo code “INSIDERS” to claim your welcome offer.
4. Start Playing
After your deposit has been processed, you can now start playing for real money. Head to the main poker room and choose the game that you want to access. You can check things like account balance and bonus progress within your account section.
Types of Poker Games available at MA Online Poker Sites
The beauty of accessing offshore poker sites is that you generally get a wider range of games to choose from. We’ve outlined these games below with a little more information on how they work.
No Limit Hold’em
Hold’em is the most popular game of online poker in Massachusetts. The “no limit” variation means that there is no limit on the amount of money that can be won (and lost) on each hand.
The game can range from 2 up to 10 players per single table, with each player being dealt two hole cards to make the best 5-card poker hand using any combination of the 5 community cards.
Pot Limit Hold’em
Pot limit Hold’em is a variation of the game that limits the amount you can bet at any one time. As the name would suggest, this is capped at the size of the pot. So, if there was $25 in the pot, then this would be the most you’re able to bet.
Omaha
Omaha is one of the most exciting forms of poker. The general rules are the same in that, you need to make the best 5-card poker hand. But instead of having just two hole cards, you have four. However, you must and can only use two hole cards to create your hand.
There are multiple variations of this game that include pot limit and no limit, as well as hi/lo. The latter is where there are two winning hands, a low hand, and a high hand. The pot is split between the two and you need to win both to sweep.
Poker Site Bonuses Available
One of the best things about using offshore online poker sites is that you get access to much bigger bonuses than regulated sites. This section includes information on the types of bonuses you can claim at Massachusetts online poker sites and how they work.
| Bonus Type | About | Recommended Site |
| Welcome Bonus |
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| Ongoing Promotions |
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| Free Roll |
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Comparing Sign-Up Bonuses
| Poker site | Poker bonus | Promo code | Rollover | Minimum deposit | Bitcoin accepted? | Expiration date |
| BetOnline | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $5 per $50 raked | $50 | ✅ | 30 Days |
| Bovada | 100% up to $500 | INSIDERS | $5 per $10 raked | $20 | ✅ | 30 Days |
| Everygame | 200% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $5 per $83.55 raked | $20 | ✅ | 30 Days |
| SportsBetting.ag | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $5 for every $50 raked | $50 | ✅ | 30 Days |
| Ignition | 100% up to $1,000 | INSIDERS | $1 for every 30 Points | $20 | ❌ | 30 Days |
Making Deposits & Withdrawals
Banking options with all the Massachusetts online poker sites that we’ve included are excellent. The key thing that you need to note is accessibility. Choose a payment option that you’re comfortable with and can verify if needed.
The table below includes an overview of the types of payment options you can expect from most online poker rooms. They each come with pros and cons, so we’ve included a little information on why you may want to use or avoid them as applicable.
| Payment Method | About | Examples |
| Cryptocurrencies |
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| Traditional Payment Methods |
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| eWallets |
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Deposit Options Available
The table below includes the available deposit options from the top-ranked online poker rooms. Please note that these are just deposit options and it’s not always the case that you’re able to withdraw back to them.
| Poker site | Bitcoin | Bitcoin Cash | Ethereum | Dogecoin | Debit / Credit Cards | Bank Transfer | PayPal |
| BetOnline | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bovada | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Everygame | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| SportsBetting.ag | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ignition | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Withdrawal Options Available
The withdrawal options for each of the best Massachusetts online poker sites are listed below. Again, these will differ from the deposit options and you’re not able to access PayPal with any of these brands.
| Poker site | Bitcoin | Bitcoin Cash | Ethereum | Dogecoin | Debit / Credit Cards | Bank Transfer | PayPal |
| BetOnline | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bovada | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Everygame | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sportsbetting.ag | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ignition | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Playing on MA Online Poker Apps & Mobile Sites
Mobile poker is now one of the most accessible forms of the game in Massachusetts. It’s worth noting that the offshore poker sites that we recommend don’t have downloadable apps, but instead mobile poker sites that you access from within your smartphone browser.
There are several reasons why this is beneficial, with accessibility being the best feature. You’re able to play on these apps using iPhone and Android, without the clutter of having to download yet another app to your phone.
All the functionality and games that you can play online can be played on mobile. Most features can be used, and you can design and set up tables to work as you need.
Tips for Playing Online Poker for Real Money in Massachusetts
To make the most of your online poker for real money in Massachusetts there are areas of the game that you can improve on. We’ve included some tips that you can incorporate into your game to get the most from your playing experience.
- Bonuses – All of the sites that we recommend have a welcome bonus of some kind. If you’ve not yet claimed one, then you need to do so. Poker bonuses are some of the most user-friendly gambling promotions on the market, with Bovada having what we would call the best online poker welcome bonus.
- Bankroll management – One of the easiest ways to go broke when playing poker is by playing above your bankroll. We use the rule of having 100 buy-ins for a level before moving up. For example, to play consistently at 5c/10c cash games, you need a bankroll of $1,000.
- Work on your game – There is a lot of information online to improve your game. YouTube, forums, and Facebook groups are great ways to see how the best in the world play and then adapt their strategies to your game.
- Be great pre flop – Pre flop is one of the most important and easiest parts of the game to control. You only need to concentrate on your two hole cards and how your opponent is playing. It’s easier to assign hand ranges to opponents and a solid pre-flop strategy will make post-flop a lot easier.
Playing Online Poker vs Poker Live in Massachusetts
Live poker and online poker in Massachusetts vary massively in terms of how games play. The rules, obviously, are the same, but the games play much differently. With online, you’re able to play a lot more hands per hour as the software is all but instant in terms of dealing and shuffling. Most sites allow you to play multiple tables, so it’s not uncommon to get hundreds of hands per hour, compared with live where you’re likely maxing out at around 25/hour, depending on the game.
Features for online poker are much larger than live as well. Access to things like hand charts, live stats, and hand history can be used to dramatically improve your play.
A massively overlooked positive of online v live is the ability to game/table select. You can literally jump from game to game online, taking your time to choose tables with the weakest players. With live poker, you’re often limited to a handful of games, which might include some very good and unavoidable poker players.
Live Poker in Massachusetts – Casinos With Poker Rooms
Massachusetts has two casinos that each have poker rooms. We do expect that more rooms will open within the next couple of years, with a handful currently either in the planning stage or fighting legal battles to get a license.
MGM Springfield
Address: One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103
Opening Hours: 24/7
The MGM Springfield is an award-winning casino that is a sister site of the Las Vegas location. The casino has a 23-table poker room and is widely regarded as the best (in terms of facilities) in Massachusetts.
Encore Boston Harbor
Address: One Broadway Everett, MA 02149
Opening Hours: 24/7
The Encore Boston Harbor casino is owned by Wynn. The site hosts multiple restaurants and a five-star hotel within the property. It includes 24 poker tables that have bad beat jackpots, promotions on cash games, complimentary beverages when at the table, and 6 large TVs to watch sports on from around the world.
Famous Massachusetts Poker Players
It’s probably fair to say that Massachusetts doesn’t have a huge range of famous poker players, but there are some notable names who’ve influenced the industry, which we’ve outlined below.
- Dan Harrington – Dan Harrington is a multiple WSOP bracelet winner, with his biggest prize coming from his main event win back in 1995. He’s amassed over $7 million in poker winnings, and while not the highest earner from the state, arguably the highest profile. His work in poker strategy books and the fact that he is one of just two players to main back-to-back WSOP main event final table appearances makes him a legend of the game.
- Dan Coleman – Dan Coleman is the most successful Massachusetts poker player in terms of earnings. He’s won over $28 million dollars, with $15.3 million coming from bagging first place at The Big One for One Drop, a $1 million WSOP event.
- Nick Pertrangelo – Another player with over $20 million in career live earnings is Nick Pertrangelo. He has won two WSOP bracelets and is ranked in the top 20 players of all time for total career live earnings.
The Best Poker Site in Massachusetts
BetOnline is ranked as our number-one pick for the best Massachusetts online poker site. Located on the Chico Poker Network, the site benefits from a huge player pool, resulting in a wide range of games accessible around the clock.
They also include some of the best poker promotions, with a $1,000 welcome bonus for new players and a VIP section for existing players. With a huge crossover of players from the sportsbook and casino, BetOnline has a lower-than-average player pool, meaning that the games are some of the most lucrative in the industry.