- Massachusetts’s iGaming legislation for 2026 faces pushback from Governor Maura Healey and treasurer Deborah Goldberg.
- House Bill 4431 aims to legalize online blackjack and other online casino games in the state.
- The report date for the bill was extended to March 16, 2026, but two major roadblocks hurt Massachusetts’s chances for online gambling expansion in 2026.
BOSTON – House Bill 4431’s aspirations of expanding online gambling in Massachusetts face two major obstacles. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and state treasurer Deborah Goldberg oppose iGaming expansion, potentially delaying the arrival of legal online blackjack and other online casino games in the state.
Rep. David Muradain’s bill was discussed back in November, showcasing the divide between Massachusetts lawmakers. During that Massachusetts online blackjack bill hearing, the reporting date was moved from December 17 to March 16 of 2026, allowing lawmakers to put more time towards the issue.
Treasurer Goldberg was clear about her feelings towards House Bill 4431, claiming that iGaming expansion isn’t in the best interest for Massachusetts residents. Goldberg is responsible for the state lottery, which will begin offering iLottery services in 2026. She claims that the iLottery expects to generate roughly $70 million in profits for the first year, and those numbers should steadily increase every year until reaching $360 million in a decade.
However, Goldberg doesn’t think the profits from legal online blackjack in MA are as easy to project. She also doesn’t believe the iLottery market could compete with iGaming operators.
“We won’t be able to compete in terms of advertising,” Goldberg said in a statement. “So, I, right now, am firmly against iGaming. They may not like me for that, but I gotta think about the people of Massachusetts, and that’s my top priority.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Concerned About iGaming
Governor Healey’s main concern regarding online gambling expansion in Massachusetts is problem gambling. She claims that she’s been long concerned about the addictiveness of the gambling market, and also that “There are probably ways to deal with that. I don’t know the answers, but I think it is something that policymakers across the country should be looking at in the in the wake of data that’s come out.”
Other state lawmakers like Senator John Keenan agree with Healey, also raising concerns about gambling in the state. Keenan is responsible for implementing stricter sports betting guidelines in Massachusetts through the Bettor Health Act.