The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has hit Penn Entertainment with a $15,000 fine for controversial comments made by ESPN “College Game Day” host Rece Davis in 2024.
Davis commented on an ESPN Bet segment that a suggested sports betting pick was not gambling but “risk-free investing.” The MGC published its decision Wednesday, stating that the fine resulted from Davis using “the prohibited language ‘risk free investment’ after he referred to a sports wager.”
jocular, apology-free responses
After the incident, Davis took to X and appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” to defend his “risk-free” statements as “tongue-in-cheek” and “a throwaway line.” While appearing to admit to saying the wrong thing, Davis’ jocular, apology-free responses combined with Penn/ESPN Bet’s public handling of the aftermath, seem to have gotten under the MGC’s skin.
In its statement, the Commission said it was “dissatisfied” with the public response by both Davis and Penn, with “no meaningful follow-up beyond internal discussions about the incident.”
The MGC drew particular attention to the lack of a quick public correction to Davis’ comment. It said it expects “any future incidents will be met with a definitive public statement affirming that ‘risk-free’ language is prohibited under both regulatory and internal content standards.”
