The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) recently fined BetMGM for offering bets on markets that were not approved for betting. At the same time, Wynn and Betr have told the state they will be ceasing operations there.
The fines imposed on BetMGM and its retail sportsbook partner, MGM Springfield, as well as Barstool Sportsbook and its retail partner, the Plainridge Park Casino, amounted to $20,000 each. WynnBet and the Encore Boston Harbor resort were fined $10,000.
These fines were issued when operators offered bets on Massachusetts college basketball games shortly after retail sports betting went live in the state on January 31. State rules prohibit bets on college teams unless they are participating in tournaments with four or more participants.
In all three cases, the sportsbooks themselves reported the breaches, attributing them to administrative errors. They promptly removed the markets in question and refunded the initial bets.
BetMGM’s retail sportsbook at the MGM Springfield casino allowed 28 wagers on two Harvard men’s basketball games. This occurred because the location of the college was incorrectly entered as Connecticut instead of Massachusetts, where betting on Harvard college games is prohibited.
BetMGM acknowledged the error, and has since implemented measures to prevent similar mistakes.
Wynn was also fined for offering an unapproved market, but said that’s not the reason it’s leaving the state. WynnBet has already shut down its online wagering operations in seven other states, citing a shift in focus towards more profitable ventures.
Betr, on the other hand, has decided not to renew its temporary license in Massachusetts, opting to explore opportunities in other states with larger populations.
The MGC will review the departures in an upcoming meeting. The exact timeline for the cessation of WynnBet operations in Massachusetts will depend on commission approval. The closure of the WynnBet mobile sportsbook will not impact the WynnBet Sportsbook at Encore Boston Harbor.
The Massachusetts mobile sports betting industry has been largely dominated by a few key players, with DraftKings and FanDuel the frontrunners. DraftKings handled nearly half of all Massachusetts bets settled in December, while FanDuel accounted for almost 30 percent of the action. The departure of WynnBet and Betr will likely further solidify the dominance of these established players.
