Around New England

Massachusetts Sportsbooks To Display Official Seal Ensuring Consumer Safety

November 19, 2024

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission developed and adopted an official seal of approval that every licensed online sportsbook in Massachusetts will be required to include on their digital platforms by the end of this month.

“The seal is intended to be a clear signal to those who choose to gamble that they are accessing a platform licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by the MGC,” a gaming commission press release said. “This seal represents a significant step in the MGC’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible and regulated gaming within the state. Consumers will now be able to easily distinguish between licensed, regulated platforms and unsafe, and illegal alternatives.”

Massachusetts has a sports betting market with both online and brick-and-mortar locations. The seven licensed online operators must adhere to laws and regulations from the state. These include security measures to safeguard personal and financial information, Know Your Customer protocols to verify eligibility, and so-called responsible gaming initiatives to help customers manage their gambling habits, the release said.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission regulates all of these operators. A seal of approval from the state agency signifies that an operator is fully licensed and meets the state’s standards.

“The MGC has spent considerable efforts ensuring that the operators licensed in the Commonwealth share our values and are committed to consumer protections and responsible gaming,” Gaming Commission member Eileen O’Brien said in the press release. “Massachusetts residents who choose to gamble on sports deserve to know their data, personal and financial information are protected, and only the legal marketplace offers those protections. By locating this seal, users will be able to easily identify a legal sportsbook from an illegal operator.”

For years, offshore and illegal gambling operators have been available to customers across the United States, even as they’ve tried to pass themselves off as legitimate in the wake of legalized sports betting. These operators aren’t licensed by any state, nor do they pay state taxes or fees. The risks go far beyond financial losses or data breaches — some operators outright refuse to honor winning bets, leaving gamblers with little or no recourse, the state agency’s press release said.

In Massachusetts, the state Attorney General’s Office recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to one of these major illegal operators and, with help from the state Gaming Commission, plans to continue cracking down on these activities. 

“This newly adopted seal not only enhances consumer protection but also builds trust with members of the public that choose to gamble,” the press release said. “It serves as a visual reminder of the regulations in place within the legal market and encourages responsible gambling practices.”

“It is essential for all stakeholders – operators, regulators, and consumers alike – to recognize the importance of a legal and regulated market,” the press release added. “By choosing to gamble only with licensed operators displaying the official seal, consumers can enjoy their experience with the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are protected by Massachusetts laws and regulations.”

The seven mobile sportsbooks currently licensed in Massachusetts are Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, ESPN BET, and Bally Bet.

 

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