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- Massachusetts Representative David Muradian is preparing a 2027 legislative push to legalize online casinos and ban sweepstakes gaming platforms.
- The proposal would tether online platforms to existing land-based casinos, implement a 15% tax rate, and mandate strict consumer protections.
Massachusetts state Rep. David Muradian is preparing another push to legalize online casino gaming in the 2027 session after his 2026 bill stalled, framing the effort as a way to move existing play away from offshore sites and into a regulated market.
The proposal matters because it would give the Massachusetts Gaming Commission authority over iGaming, set tax and licensing terms for operators, and expressly ban online sweepstakes games. It would also tie market access to the state’s existing casino licensees rather than open licensing more broadly.
Proposal would tie iGaming to existing casinos
According to details discussed by Muradian, existing Massachusetts casino licensees could each offer up to three separately branded online platforms. The state’s casino market currently includes MGM Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor, and Plainridge Park, which is operated by PENN Entertainment.
The bill framework would tax adjusted gross gaming revenue at 15%. It would also impose a $100,000 operator application fee and a $50,000 fee for each skin.
Muradian said during an industry webinar that the issue is less about whether online casino play exists and more about whether the state will regulate it. “The reality again is that people do have access to casino-style gaming right now,” he said. “It’s just unregulated, it’s the ‘Wild West,’ it’s offshore.”
He also said, “I approached it as a regulatory question first and a gaming question second.”
Consumer protections and sweepstakes ban included
The proposal would limit legal play to people 21 and older who are physically located in Massachusetts or in another jurisdiction covered by an authorized agreement when placing a wager.
Muradian’s framework also includes several consumer-protection measures, including:
- age and location verification
- voluntary self-exclusion
- player-set gambling limits
- restrictions on advertising aimed at people younger than 21
The bill would also prohibit online sweepstakes games, a notable provision as more states scrutinize sweepstakes-style casino products.
What to watch in 2027
Muradian’s previous iGaming bill was sent to a study order in March 2026, which prevented it from advancing that year. That leaves open questions about whether he will formally reintroduce the legislation in the same form and whether there is enough support to move it further next session.
Another issue for lawmakers is timing. Massachusetts recently launched online lottery games, and the Covers report noted legislators may want to see how that rollout develops before taking up online casino legalization.
Muradian pointed to broader market data in making the case for regulation. Legal online casinos generated $10.73 billion in gross gaming revenue across seven operating states in 2025, according to figures cited during an iDEA panel.
Source: As reported by Ryan Butler.
