Massachusetts Launches Sports Betting Exclusion Program
Beginning January 31st, in-person sports betting was introduced at the three brick-and-mortar casinos in Massachusetts. Online sportsbooks commenced accepting wagers on March 10th.
In preparation for the possibility of an increase in problem gambling due to the influx of legal gaming, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) and The Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health launched a self-exclusion program dedicated to sports betting. This program allows anyone aged 21 and older - the legal age for gambling in Massachusetts - to inform the MGC and exclude themselves from participating in legal sportsbooks.
Called the Sports Wagering Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE), registered participants are restricted from entering the sports betting area of retail sportsbooks. People who have self-excluded from sports betting also lose access to online sports betting platforms regulated by the MGC.
Enrollees can choose a one, three, or five-year period for their exclusion. A lifetime ban becomes accessible after they complete one of the shorter terms.
The Sports Wagering Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program is governed by the MGC, which frequently updates and distributes the list to licensed entities within the state.
Dual Self-Exclusion Programs
Previously, the MGC oversaw the Gaming Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, which operates in the same way as the new sports betting VSE. Those who opted to register with the Gaming VSE were barred from entering the gaming areas within a casino.
The MGC stated that someone can exclude themselves from sports betting but not casino gambling, and vice versa. Additionally, people can opt to exclude themselves from both casino gaming and sports betting through a single dual registration.
According to the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, the Sports Wagering VSE serves as an extension of the state's responsible gambling initiatives, as it was launched immediately following the start of mobile sports betting in Massachusetts and during the year's largest NCAA event.
Massachusetts' self-exclusion lists are confidential. Registration is free and comes with access to trained problem gambling support staff available 24/7.
Those interested in joining this program can contact the MGC at 617-533-9737 or email [email protected]. Enrollment is also available at GameSense Info Centers inside the three casinos and online at www.gamesensema.com.
Expansion of Legal Sports Betting
Before January 2021, single-game sports betting was only legal in Nevada. In May 2018, the US Supreme Court struck down the federal sports gambling ban known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, leading to more than 30 states legalizing sports betting. This expansion of legal gambling opportunities has drawn the attention of a demographic that brick-and-mortar casinos have been targeting for many years - millennials.
Pew Research Center shared data last fall, showing that around 20% of the adult population in the US now engages in sports betting. The demographic of ages 18-49 reported even higher rates at 22%.
Racial demographics showed that 27% of Blacks and 24% of Hispanics reported betting on sports compared to 18% of Whites and 10% of Asians. The participation rates for income levels were more divided, with upper-income earners (22%) participating more than middle- and lower-income earners (19%).
Also, the Pew survey found that 34% of respondents believe the fact that legal sports betting is prevalent in the US is "a bad thing for society", while only 8% consider it "a good thing for society."
Read also:
- Leverkusen claims victory in the cup, securing a double triumph.
- Alonso achieves a double victory after consuming a German brew.
- Does the SVolt factory in Saarland face stability issues?
- Furor surrounding Sylt scandal footage