Sportsbooks in Massachusetts Disclose Reasons and Methods for Restricting Betting Participants
After eschewing a meeting last month to deliberate on sports bettors facing limitations or even bans in Massachusetts, the seven online betting platforms holding licenses in the state have consented to converse with state regulators about their practices.
During its meeting last Thursday, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced that these licensed sportsbook operators have agreed to elucidate their motives and methods behind limiting certain bettors. Notably, this decision comes a month after the MGC held a similar discussion, but only Bally’s Bet shared insights.
At present, Bally’s Bet has yet to initiate its online sports betting in Massachusetts, with plans to commence operations on Thursday, June 27.
MGC commissioners remain puzzled by the operators' regular practice of limiting patrons and excluding others. As previously noted, the agency has received multiple complaints from bettors alleging limitation or bans with scant explanations.
A Change of Tune
Massachusetts’ active sportsbooks — DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, ESPN Bet, and Fanatics Sportsbook — opted out of the May meeting, citing confidential concerns. Most refused to discuss their risk management practices and other business-related secrets in an open setting involving competitors.
Commission Chair Jordan Maynard countered that the MGC operates under state law which emphasizes transparency in an open forum. The sportsbooks maintained their stance, asserting that they would not disclose their secretive risk management strategies and business information in a competitive setting.
A month later, all six have rescinded their opposition to an open discussion about limitations, leaving some commissioners bewildered.
Commissioner Nakisha Skinner questioned, "What has changed since last time?" Skinner, who previously considered the sportsbooks' absence a snub, expressed apprehension that the sportsbooks might have colluded to agree to participate in the MGC public forum, yet may not be completely transparent.
"I'm not certain we'll receive the information we've requested or that operators will be honest," Skinner said.
Maynard promised that the sportsbooks have assured transparency and pledged to enlighten the commission on limitations.
The Legal Landscape
Lawmakers in Massachusetts and then-Gov. Charlie Baker authorized sports betting in August 2022. The law does not restrict licensed sportsbooks from setting minimum or maximum betting limits, and it mirrors the discretionary exclusion policy of the state’s casinos.
The statute states, "Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, there is no limitation as to the minimum or maximum wager a Sports Wagering Operator may accept. This rule does not prevent a Sports Wagering Operator from establishing its own minimum or maximum wagers, or restricting a patron’s Sports Wager for reasons considered necessary or appropriate by the Sports Wagering Operator."
Sportsbooks have previously explained that they limit or ban bettors for various reasons, typically not due to sharklike tendencies or consistent victories.
Andrew Steffen, the MGC’s sports wagering operations manager, informed commissioners that the sportsbooks argue to limit wagers to preserve the authenticity of sporting events and prevent undue influence on the game's outcomes.
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