As with many states, the law around gambling in online casinos while living in Massachusetts is open to interpretation. The law of Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 states:

No person engaged in the business of betting or wagering may knowingly accept, in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful Internet gambling—

(1)credit, or the proceeds of credit, extended to or on behalf of such other person (including credit extended through the use of a credit card);

(2)an electronic fund transfer, or funds transmitted by or through a money transmitting business, or the proceeds of an electronic fund transfer or money transmitting service, from or on behalf of such other person;

(3)any check, draft, or similar instrument which is drawn by or on behalf of such other person and is drawn on or payable at or through any financial institution; or

(4)the proceeds of any other form of financial transaction, as the Secretary and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, may jointly prescribe by regulation, which involves a financial institution as a payor or financial intermediary on behalf of or for the benefit of such other person.

Essentially, it only really covers the transfer of funds between a person and an online casino, rather than providing clarity around any punishments related to making use of the gambling services provided.

There are substantial punishments for individuals found to operate an illegal gambling business in Massachusetts and they can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. According to Section 16A. Whoever knowingly organizes, supervises, manages or finances at least four persons so that such persons may provide facilities or services or assist in the provision of facilities or services for the conduct of illegal lotteries, or for the illegal registration of bets or the illegal buying or selling of pools upon the result of a trial or contest of skill, speed or endurance of man, beast, bird or machine, or upon the happening of any event, or upon the result of a game, competition, political nomination, appointment or election, or whoever knowingly receives from at least four such persons compensation or payment in any form as a return from such lotteries, such registration or such buying or selling shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than fifteen years or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

s used in this section the word ''persons'' shall not include bettors or wagerers or persons who organize, supervise, manage or finance persons for the purpose of gaming conducted under chapter 23K who merely avail themselves of such facilities or services for the purpose of making a bet or wager and do not otherwise provide or assist in the provision of such facilities or services. This section shall not apply to such bettors or wagerers.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission runs a tight ship with even non-gaming vendors requiring a license to operate on casino property. Non-Gaming Vendors include food purveyors, linen suppliers, garbage handlers, limousine service companies, and suppliers of alcoholic beverages.

While the $100 application fee may seem steep, your registration is valid for five years.

The Gaming Vendor application is a lot more intense and the Gaming Commission needs full disclosure of your financial and criminal histories, together with details about the funding for your business. You will also need to supply full details of three references who have known you for more than a year that are not related to you by blood or marriage.

Aside from supplying an identity photograph that is no more than six months old, applications are also required to have fingerprints and handwriting samples attached. It is also a requirement that you sign a waiver that permits for your details to be verified by Law Enforcement Agencies, Courts, Probation Departments, Military Organizations, Selective Service Boards, Employers, Educational Institutions, Banks, Financial and Other Such Institutions, All Gaming Regulatory Agencies, and All Governmental Agencies – federal, state and local, without exception, both foreign and domestic.

Given all these requirements, it is best to think carefully about whether there is anything in your personal history that will result in your application being declined. According to the Gaming Commission website:

“Please note that an application for licensure will not be accepted and processed without the appropriate application fee. Application fees are non-refundable. Once an application is accepted by the Commission

Even Harness Racing applications need to be accompanied by a surety bond to do business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and approved by the Commission in the amount of $125,000 per Section 3(o) of Chapter 128A of the General Laws.

All the necessary paperwork is available through the Massachusetts Gaming Commission website and every aspect of the application process is carefully outlined and clarified. It is clear that the state invites applications to vendors who offer gambling, and it is refreshing to find a government website that is user friendly and well designed.

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