Bingo in Massachusetts: Beano Laws, Halls & Online Bingo (2026 Guide)

Is bingo legal in Massachusetts?

Yes, but only under a fairly tight licensing system. Massachusetts calls the game beano, and it is legal when a qualifying nonprofit holds a license from the State Lottery Commission and plays in a city or town that has accepted the beano law.

Two statutes do the work. Chapter 10, section 38 of the General Laws sets up the licensing system, and chapter 271, section 22B says licensed beano cannot be prosecuted as illegal gaming. Anything outside that license, such as a for-profit game or an unlicensed cash-prize night, is still gambling under chapter 271.

The licensing system has more limits than most states: a five-year history requirement for organizations, local approval and a cap of two game days a week.

How old do you have to be to play bingo in Massachusetts?

You must be 18. Section 38 says no person under 18 may be permitted in the part of the premises where the game is played.

That rule is stricter than a simple “players must be 18” line: minors are kept out of the playing area itself. The state’s casinos (Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield and Plainridge Park) are 21+.

Can you play online bingo for real money in Massachusetts?

No. Massachusetts licenses online sports betting, but it has not authorized online casino games, and there is no legal real-money online bingo.

Online casino bills come up regularly on Beacon Hill, yet none has passed. For the difference between real-money, sweepstakes and free-to-play apps, read our online bingo guide. Free, confidential help for gambling problems is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.

Are sweepstakes bingo sites legal in Massachusetts?

There is no Massachusetts law that bans sweepstakes casinos, and major operators continued to serve the state in 2026. That could change.

The closest call came this year. HB 4431 would have paired online casino legalization with a ban on dual-currency sweepstakes casinos, but on March 16, 2026 it was sent to study, which ends a bill for the session. The state treasurer was among its opponents. Neighboring Connecticut and New York have already banned these sites, so watch for new bills in 2027. Before you sign up anywhere, read our sweepstakes bingo explainer for the risks, including how prize redemptions can be frozen when the law changes.

Where can you play bingo in Massachusetts?

Licensed beano runs at churches, Knights of Columbus councils, VFW and American Legion posts, Elks and Moose lodges, and volunteer fire and ambulance associations. Many games are held in function halls those groups own or rent.

We have not listed specific halls yet because many Massachusetts games run on one or two set nights a week and schedules change. Local papers and lodge websites are the most reliable way to find a game near you. Massachusetts has no tribal casino bingo hall.

How to run a charity bingo game in Massachusetts

Expect a few more steps than in many states. Under M.G.L. c. 10, §38:

1. Check eligibility. Qualifying groups include fraternal, religious, veterans, volunteer fire, ambulance and nonprofit athletic organizations, plus certain other charitable associations.
2. Meet the five-year rule. The organization must have existed for at least five years before applying.
3. Confirm local acceptance. In a city other than Boston, the city council and mayor must approve; in a town, the board of selectmen; in Boston, the licensing board.
4. Apply to the State Lottery Commission for a beano license for the specific location.
5. Keep within the schedule limit. A licensee may play on two days per calendar week: one session between 6 p.m. and midnight and another between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
6. Keep minors out of the playing area and follow the commission’s reporting rules.

Once licensed, our bingo fundraiser guide helps with prizes, pricing and volunteers. Heading south? See how Connecticut handles bingo.