New Mass. Bill Would Legalize Online Casinos, Ban Sweepstakes

A new bill has been introduced in Massachusetts, H. 4431, which would legalize online casino play and allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission the authority to license operators. However, if passed, the bill, as it's currently written, would ban sweepstakes casinos. 

Bills to bring online casino play to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have appeared in the past, but none have included a provision to ban sweepstakes casinos. 

More About H. 4431

H. 4431 was filed by Massachusetts Rep. David K. Muradian Jr. on Monday. In late 2024, Muradian discussed filing a bill, and now it has come to fruition. 

This bill is currently with the Massachusetts House Economic Development and Emerging Technologies committee, and no hearing is scheduled. 

Muradian's bill includes a 15% tax on adjusted revenue from iGaming. In the past, such as a bill filed by Rep. David Cahill, H. 332, it was 20%. 

Muradian's bill also allows for each gaming license to allow for up to three gaming brands. 

And, of course, the bill targets sweepstakes casinos. 

Examining H. 4431's Stance on Sweepstakes Casinos

In H. 4431, the bill also includes language that restricts online casino access in Massachusetts to those that the state licenses only.

The banned sites are defined in the bill as "online sweepstakes games." 

Here's a full definition: “any game, contest or promotion, in which a prize is awarded based on chance, that is available on the internet and accessible on a mobile phone, computer terminal or similar access device, that utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize or award or cash or cash equivalents, and simulates casino-style gaming, including but not limited to, slot machines, video poker, and table games, lottery games and sports wagering.”

There's also language that says it's “unlawful for any person or entity to operate, conduct, or promote online sweepstakes games within the commonwealth” and “unlawful for any person or entity to take any action to support or assist in the operation, conduct, or promotion of online sweepstakes games within the commonwealth.”

There's another bit that also reads: “it shall be unlawful for any person to offer or accept internet gaming wagers in this commonwealth without a valid internet gaming operator license."

The SPGA and SGLA Speak Out On Mass. Bill

On Tuesday, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) spoke out against the bill. 

“A new bill introduced in Massachusetts, House Bill 4431, proposes a sweeping ban on online social games that utilize sweepstakes promotions. If enacted, the bill would deny Bay Staters access to the safe, free-to-play games they enjoy while exposing a wide range of legitimate businesses to unprecedented criminal liability.”

This is pretty standard language by the SGLA, which also spoke out against bills in California and New York. 

The Social and Promotional Games Association also spoke out in a statement sent to Sweepsy. 

“Lawmakers moving to ban sweepstakes while introducing iGaming demonstrate a poor understanding of the sweepstakes model and undue deference to iGaming lobbyists,” an SPGA spokesperson said. “Instead of a blanket ban, Massachusetts could embrace oversight and regulation, securing millions in potential tax revenues, instead of deciding for its residents what games they can — and can’t — play on their mobile phones.”