- Legalized sports betting in Massachusetts opened on January 31.
- All three of the sanctioned casinos violated the in-state collegiate sports betting ban.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In just two weeks since becoming regulated, all three Massachusetts casinos have violated the in-state collegiate sports betting ban. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been notified of illegal wagers on multiple men and women’s basketball games.
Massachusetts approved sports wagering in three casinos: Plainridge Park Casino, Encore Boston Harbor, and MGM Springfield.
Plainridge Park Casino accepted 33 bets on a women’s basketball game between Merrimack College and Long Island University.
How Did The Slip Occur?
Merrimack College is a private college in Massachusetts, explaining the violation of Commonwealth law. The sportsbook vendor mistakenly input Merrimack College as a Florida school, resulting in vendors and kiosks believing the wagering to be legal.
At Encore Boston Harbor, the vendors made a mistake regarding their prohibited list and opened the possibility for wagers to be placed on NCAA women’s basketball.
Both casino incidents were unintentional and can be accredited to getting accustomed to the new Commonwealth law.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is not panicking about the situations and are prepared to instill the necessary precautions to have law abiding sports betting.
Commission’s Plans to Prevent Future Issues
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is optimistic that these issues are minor and will be worked out as the casinos continue to develop.
The Commission has had multiple meetings in the last week to discuss preventing any future penalties. They plan on implementing measures to remove all unauthorized schools from betting systems.
Also. a full-time auditor to monitor daily wagers is in the plans.
Despite early struggles, Massachusetts sports betting seems to be in a comfortable position for the future.