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Massachusetts Gambles on Controversial Online Casino Bill HB4431

A bold push to legalize real-money casinos could upend Massachusetts’ gambling scene. But with industry giants and lawmakers divided, will HB4431 fold under pressure?

This is boat.
This is boat.

Massachusetts Gambles on Controversial Online Casino Bill HB4431

A new bill in Massachusetts, known as HB4431, aims to reshape online gambling by legalising real-money casinos while banning sweepstakes alternatives. The bill has sparked debate among industry experts, who question its chances of success. The proposal faces opposition from existing casinos and regulatory hurdles tied to other legislation, such as Senate Bill 302. HB4431 would introduce licensed online casinos for real-money play in Massachusetts, while seeking to shut down sweepstakes casinos, which currently operate in a legal grey area. Research firm Eilers & Krejcik has cast doubt on its passage, citing poor timing and connections to other gambling-related proposals. HB4431 remains under discussion, with its fate uncertain. If rejected, sweepstakes casinos would retain their current position in the market. The bill’s potential revival in 2026 leaves room for further debate on online gambling regulation in Massachusetts.

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