Massachusetts Sportsbook Outlets Avoid State Gaming Commission Meeting
The six online sports betting companies in Massachusetts decided to avoid a regulatory roundtable gathering concerning the limitations sportsbooks set for their customers. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) asked for insight into how and when sportsbooks decide to restrict a client's ability to wager. The sportsbooks were given sufficient time to decide whether they'd participate in the Tuesday discussion. However, they all chose to skip the meeting.
The MGC's interest in this matter comes after receiving multiple complaints from unsatisfied sports bettors who had their wagering limits capped. At the beginning of the virtual conference, MGC's Interim Director, Jordan Maynard, reported that no sportsbook representatives would provide information on their limiting practices.
"This is a session that will mainly discuss how, when and why a patrons would be restricted by a licensed sports wagering operator in Massachusetts," Maynard started. "This meeting was organized as the MGC discovered that some operators limit bettors who regularly win."
Customers' Accounts: No Misconduct
Maynard noted that the MGC perceives sportsbook operators as limiting or excluding bettors who breach their house regulations. Nevertheless, Maynard emphasized the MGC was unaware that regulations currently in place allow a sportsbook to restrict or exclude a patron solely because they often win.
Maynard stated the purpose of the conference was to understand operators' perspectives on the limiting practice. He added that the sportsbooks requested an executive closed-door session, one at a time, to safeguard their confidential risk management methods.
Maynard defended the refusal of an executive session, stressing the obligation to perform duties publicly in Massachusetts. "We are compelled by law to conduct ourselves in an open forum in Massachusetts," he stated. "Sometimes, it can be challenging to have these discussions in public, but transparency is crucial to the integrity of the [gaming] industry in Massachusetts."
All sportsbooks answered the invitation to the roundtable. They expressed similar worries about discussing confidential company secrets in a public arena.
Cory Fox, vice president of product and new market compliance at FanDuel, asserted that risk management is a vital aspect of their business and aligns with setting odds.
Lisa Rankin, vice president of compliance and licensing for Caesars Sportsbook, requested discretion, emphasizing the sensitive, proprietary nature of the subject matter.
DraftKings submitted an anonymous letter explaining that participating in the forum necessitated the exposure of the company's confidential risk management practices and other commercially sensitive information.
Public Feedback
Online sportsbooks declare that limiting bettors is a rare practice, but the MGC hears many complaints contrary to this notion following a public input period. Aside from publishing the emails from the sportsbooks that opted out of the dialogue invitation, the MGC shared dozens of emails from customers who alleged they'd been unjustly limited by a licensed Massachusetts sports wagering operator.
One customer, Brady Hughes, admitted to wagering since sports betting became legal in Massachusetts and mentioned he'd been limited to mere pennies on DraftKings, ESPN Bet, and Fanatics. "Sportsbooks preach 'responsible gambling,' yet they limit whoever earns money," Hughes reflected.
"Sportsbooks hide behind responsible gaming rhetoric to impose limits," Massachusetts sports bettor Nick Mascarello also voiced his viewpoint. "These multibillion-dollar companies that let long-term losing bettors risk $50,000 on a single game should give everyday winners the opportunity to bet $100."
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Source: www.casino.org
