The Massachusetts gambling regulator is investigating two sportsbooks. According to sports news reports, they accepted wagers on college basketball games featuring schools from the state.
The Massachusetts Gambling Commission said that it is a violation of existing sports wagering rules. However, it is still unclear if the sportsbooks that broke the rules will face any punishments. It is looking into the allegations even though the commission is busy trying to meet the March 10 deadline for launching online sports betting in the state.
The two sportsbook operators are the Plainridge Park Casino and Encore Boston Harbor. The accepted wagers on Merrimack College men’s basketball and Boston College women’s basketball games, respectively.
Massachusetts Gambling Regulator Investigates Breaches
The regulator contends that even if there are exceptions, these are not among them. Heather Hall, the lead enforcement counsel for the MGC, stated that the two sportsbooks were in “violation” of regulatory requirements for accepting wagers between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
However, the affected bookies have quickly responded and admitted their errors.
A representative from Encore Boston Harbor has also provided some details, saying the problem was self-reported and that the company made no attempt to conceal it from the regulator. In addition, the hotels have both confirmed that they are taking further precautions to ensure compliance and prevent a similar incident from happening again.
While acknowledging wrongdoing can help mitigate consequences, most authorities did not view this as a positive development. Although no enforcement measures have been taken yet, the MGC will meet again next Tuesday, so this might change.
Cathy Judd-Stein, chairperson of the MGC, has taken a more reassuring stance on the situation, praising the operators for taking the initiative and bringing the problems to the notice of the regulator. But, on the other hand, the regulator is not particularly focused on fining sportsbooks for little offenses at the moment.
The MGC is eager to promote legal mobile betting and have it in place by the March 10 date, with analysts anticipating mobile betting handle to account for up to 95% of the overall betting activity in the state and more. Mobile wagering is worth it. Hopefully, betting on sports in Korea via mobile devices will be available in the future.
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