A new statewide survey conducted in late January 2026 reveals that a strong majority of Massachusetts voters support legalising and regulating online casino gaming under state oversight. The poll, commissioned by Beacon Research and comprising 1,000 registered voters, suggests that many residents believe a legal iGaming market could reduce consumer risks tied to unregulated offshore operators while generating tax revenue for the state.
The findings come amid legislative efforts to introduce iGaming bills in the Massachusetts legislature, as divergent polls have fuelled debate among lawmakers and industry stakeholders about how best to structure and regulate digital casino gaming.
Voters See Legal iGaming as a Safer Alternative to Offshore Markets
According to the Beacon Research survey, 59% of respondents said they support legalising iGaming under a state‑regulated system, while 24% opposed it and the remainder were undecided. The poll shows that this support spans party lines: 58% of Democrats, 56% of independents and 69% of Republicans endorsed the proposal to create a secure, legal online casino marketplace subject to taxation and oversight.
A core driver of this support appears to be concerns about the consumer risk associated with unregulated offshore gambling platforms. Majorities of voters expressed anxiety about the lack of age verification (83%), insecure financial data (85%), and offshore operators failing to pay winnings (84%). In this context, 76% believe state‑regulated iGaming offers a better model to prevent young people from gambling and ensure safeguards for legal bettors compared to the current offshore market.
The survey also indicated that 86% of voters agree that adults should be free to gamble if they choose, and 77% consider unregulated offshore gaming to pose real risks to consumers. Additionally, 75% said that iGaming should be legal but subject to taxation and oversight like legal sports betting, reinforcing the perception that regulation is preferable to prohibition.
Followers of Fiscal Pragmatism
Fiscal considerations also feature strongly in voter attitudes. The poll found that information about projected tax revenue from a regulated iGaming market made 56% of respondents more supportive of the proposal. When presented with policy trade‑offs, 73% of voters said legalising iGaming was either a better or acceptable option compared to raising taxes or cutting state services.
These findings suggest that many voters view a regulated iGaming framework not only as a consumer protection measure but also as a pragmatic revenue source amid ongoing public spending demands.
Bipartisan Underpinnings, Clear Anti‑Prohibition Logic
One notable characteristic of the Beacon Research results is the bipartisan nature of support for legal iGaming, which stands in contrast to some regional polling on wider gambling expansion issues. The fact that majorities across party lines endorse a regulated model reflects a broader trend of anti‑prohibition logic: voters favour policies that mitigate risk and accountability gaps rather than maintaining the status quo of unregulated access.
This pro‑regulation sentiment differs markedly from perceptions expressed in other states. For example, a recent poll in Mississippi found strong opposition to both online sports betting and iGaming expansion, highlighting that local context and cultural attitudes can significantly influence public opinion on gambling policy issues.
Implications for Massachusetts Gambling Policy
The Beacon Research survey adds a substantive voice to the ongoing debates in Massachusetts over whether and how to legalise iGaming. Legislators considering iGaming bills have faced conflicting data, including earlier polls that showed more divided public sentiment. However, the latest findings suggest that a majority of residents may be receptive to legal, regulated online casino gaming as part of a broader consumer protection and revenue strategy.
Proponents of legal iGaming argue that regulation would help rein in the offshore market, provide stronger safeguards for vulnerable players, and create new streams of tax revenue. Opponents raise concerns about gambling addiction, social impact, and the readiness of regulatory frameworks to oversee a new online sector.
As debates continue in the Massachusetts State House, policymakers will likely weigh this latest polling evidence alongside economic analyses and regulatory design considerations. The emerging public opinion profile may influence legislative text, particularly in areas related to age verification, responsible gambling measures, and consumer safety frameworks.