Massachusetts sports betting fully launched last Friday, with mobile and online entering the mix. Retail sports betting in the state has been around more than a month and a half, having launched on Jan. 31.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) on Tuesday held adjudicatory hearings regarding alleged non-compliance to the state's sports wagering catalogs of two retail sportsbook locations: Encore Boston Harbor (WynnBET Massachusetts) in Everett and Plainridge Park Casino (Barstool Sports).
Both had to do with illegal college sports wagers being taken at the locations.
The morning hearing for EBH concerned bets that were allowed for five hours on a Notre Dame at Boston College women's basketball game on Feb. 2. To clarify, legal operators such as Caesars Sportsbook Massachusetts are not allowed to offer wagering on in-state schools, unless they are playing in a tournament, which this game did not.
EBH noted the winning parlay (which included the Boston College NCAAW game and was made at a self-service kiosk) was cashed by a patron with the BC leg from that parlay voided from the ticket.
Bets only can be made on any in-state collegiate team, if that team is playing a tournament with a minimum of four schools (ex: Beanpot College Hockey tournament, NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, etc.).
EBH regretted they had offered the bet and anticipates these events in the future will be far less likely.
During the afternoon hearing, illegal college wagers were also the issue at Plainridge Park Casino as Barstool Massachusetts Sportsbook took more than 30 bets on a Long Island University vs. Merrimack College men's basketball game on Feb. 2. Bets were open for more than seven hours.
PPC's third-party vendor - Kambi - said the bets taken were the result of a data input error. The PPC noted that an audit of their systems has taken place and another layer of protection has been added so future bets on in-state colleges are not allowed, outside of the tournament.
After both hearings, the Commission deliberated in private and decisions will be handed down in writing in the future.
Retail Handle Numbers Expected Wednesday
The first full month of retail sports betting figures in the state is expected to be released on Wednesday.
Numbers from the first partial month of Massachusetts betting apps is expected to be released some time in April.
BetMassachusetts.com will keep you posted on news and revenue reports, as well as provide the latest and best Massachusetts sports betting promo codes.
