The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has fined Encore Boston Harbor $40,000 for accepting bets on two in-state women’s NCAA basketball games. MGC rules forbid any betting on in-state NCAA universities or colleges not playing in a tournament.
The two February 2023 games in question include Boston College vs University of North Carolina and Boston College vs University of Louisville. For the North Carolina game, bettors placed three wagers at a sports betting kiosk with one bet winning $53. The Louisville game saw four wagers placed at a sports betting kiosk with one bet winning $9.09.
previously fined Encore $10,000 for taking bets on another February 2023 game
Encore flagged up its improper bets by approaching the MGC on February 21, 2023 with details of its mistake. The MGC previously fined Encore $10,000 for taking bets on another February 2023 game involving Boston College.
In its decision published on the MGC website Monday, the body stated the incidents were a “serious violation of statute, regulation, and the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Catalogue.” The MGC was scathing over Encore’s second noncompliance violation, saying it “did not demonstrate that it had its vendors under control.”
The MGC’s sternness will likely give BetMGM the jitters, as it recently took over 15,000 improper college athlete prop bets with stakes totaling over $200,000.