The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has revealed that just a few days after launching, the state’s first legal retail sportsbooks have violated licensing conditions by allowing prohibited wagers.
The new Encore Sportsbook at Boston Harbor allowed customers to place wagers on the Boston College/Notre Dame women’s basketball game while the MGM-Springfield accepted wagers on Harvard men’s basketball. The sportsbook at Plainridge also accepted nearly $7,000 in wagers on a Merrimack vs. Long Island University men’s game.
Betting on in-state college teams and athletes is strictly forbidden unless those teams are performing in a tournament such as March Madness. Now, the MGC is now seeking answers as to how the transgressions occurred.
During a meeting held on Tuesday, the MGC were informed that a betting technology vendor had mistakenly assigned one of the teams as being based in Florida as opposed to Massachusetts. However, the commissioners sought clarification on how this could have occurred considering there is no college with the same name in Florida.
No explanation has yet been given for the other instances.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.