Jul 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Kutter Crawford (50) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will hold its public meeting on the practice of limiting sports betting customers by the first week of October
- The public meeting will likely include licensed Massachusetts gaming operators, industry reps, and sports betting customers
- Interim Commission Chair Jordan Maynard said he expects all operators to attend the meeting
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is narrowing down a window of time to hold one of the most anticipated sports betting industry discussions in recent memory.
Commissioners agreed today to hold a public meeting on the operator practice of limiting sports betting customers no later than the first week of October. The public meeting will likely include representatives from the licensed Massachusetts sports betting operator, sports betting industry professionals, and sports betting customers to discuss how the practice is implemented, statistics on the practice, and how a determination is made to limit users in the state.
The commission is expecting all sportsbook operators to attend the meeting.
Robust, but Respectful, Discussion Expected
The meeting will likely be split into two portions, according to the commission. Sports bettors and industry professionals will speak during one half of the meeting and the licensed sports betting operators will be able to speak in the other.
Operators will be expected to provide statistics on the practice of limiting sports bettors and publicly discuss what goes into the decision making process to limit Massachusetts customers on their platforms.
Interim Commission Chair Jordan Maynard has noted on several occasions that the MGC will ensure that the discussion is respectful of all parties involved. The MGC will likely not allow either parties to debate the practice among each other during the meeting, he said.
Maynard did publicly share his expectations for those he expects to be in attendance for the meeting.
“I expect every operator will engage in this conversation with us. Not hope, expect,” he said.
The public roundtable could lead to new regulations that may limit the practice in the state.
Second Times the Charm?
The public meeting will be the second discussion hosted by the MGC on the controversial topic. Seven of the eight sports betting operators did not attend the MGC’s first meeting on the practice, which rankled a number of the state regulators.
Commissioner Nakisha Skinner has been the most vocal member of the MGC in her disappointment over the first meeting. During a discussion earlier this month, Skinner said this will not be a meeting for operators to “save face” by showing up but refusing to speak on the topic in public.
While the commission will likely provide operators with a list of topics that will be discussed during the meeting, they will reserve the opportunity to ask questions in real time, Skinner said.
Rob covers all regulatory developments in online gambling. He specializes in US sports betting news along with casino regulation news as one of the most trusted sources in the country.
Massachusetts is set to discuss potential restrictions on sports betting in the state by October, as lawmakers grapple with how to regulate this rapidly growing industry. With the recent legalization of sports betting in many states across the country, Massachusetts is now facing pressure to join the trend and allow residents to place bets on their favorite sports teams.
The discussion comes after a Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that struck down a federal law banning sports betting in most states. Since then, many states have moved quickly to legalize and regulate the industry, seeing it as a potential source of revenue and a way to combat illegal gambling.
However, Massachusetts has been more cautious in its approach, with lawmakers expressing concerns about the potential negative impacts of sports betting, such as addiction and problem gambling. As a result, they are considering implementing restrictions on the industry to ensure that it is conducted in a responsible manner.
One of the key issues being discussed is whether to limit the types of bets that can be placed, such as prohibiting bets on college sports or certain types of events. Lawmakers are also considering whether to restrict where sports betting can take place, such as limiting it to casinos or allowing it to be offered online.
Another important consideration is how to tax and regulate the industry, with lawmakers looking at other states as examples of how to best structure their own regulations. Some states have implemented high taxes on sports betting revenue, while others have taken a more hands-off approach.
Overall, the discussion in Massachusetts reflects a larger debate happening across the country about how to regulate sports betting in a way that balances the potential economic benefits with the need to protect consumers. By October, lawmakers hope to have a clearer picture of what restrictions will be put in place, ensuring that sports betting in Massachusetts is conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner.
