The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is set to vote on a measure that addresses sportsbooks limiting winning bettors. Bookies.com first reported about the consumer protection proposal that will be under consideration during Thursday’s meeting, which has a strong chance of passing.
The media outlet’s source said that the changes will be “tougher than expected” when it comes to protecting customers. It would be the first state to introduce such rules on limiting accounts.
The commissioners will balance the financial impact changes could have on operators with the concerns of consumers. During the most recent meeting in September, MGC Sports Wagering Division Chief Carrie Torrisi remarked that winning bettors tend to have lower limits and losing bettors have higher ones.
don’t usually explain to customers why they have lower limits
Operators don’t usually explain to customers why they have lower limits. That will be a big topic of discussion at Thursday’s meeting, as commissioners see the matter as a question of fundamental fairness.
The regulator has received numerous complaints from bettors, which led to a meeting scheduled with operators in May 2024. Only one sportsbook agreed to partake in the discussions, so the MGC said any operator who didn’t appear the next time would put their licenses in jeopardy.
Sportsbooks tried to present their side of the story. BetMGM’s Senior Director of Compliance, Sarah Brennan, stated that it limits 1% of its Massachusetts bettors, which enables it to continue offering competitive odds and markets.
