Sportsbook operators 'ghost' Massachusetts Gaming Commission

[The Buzz]

Most of the legal sportsbooks in Massachusetts, including major players like BetMGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel, declined to participate in a public discussion on betting limits for successful bettors today.

This move could escalate tensions between the industry and regulators, potentially leading to the imposition of rules without operator input.

From SBC Americas:

Bally’s was the only operator to take part in the debate, sending Director of Compliance Justin Black as a representative. He was unable to comment on the practices of the company’s platform provider, Kambi, when it came to pricing, but did assure the commissioners that any regulation limiting the pricing options of operators would result in a more negative overall experience for all of the operator’s customers when Bally Bet does launch in the state later this year.

The other panelists who did attend included industry consultants Dustin Gouker and Brianne Doura-Schawol as well as professional bettor Captain Jack Andrews (pseudonym) and the MGC’s own Director of Research and Responsible Gambling Mark Vander Linden.
The group offered insights on price limiting and generally encouraged the commission to look at the data available to them about how to differentiate between problem gamblers, VIPs, sharp bettors and other categories of bettors.

At the end of the session though, the commissioners seemed more preoccupied with who did not attend than the words of those who did. Commissioners called session a waste, said they are “angry”

“I have to admit the discussion was not as meaningful as I hoped it would be and there’s something quite not right about asking you to speak on behalf of our sportsbooks here in Massachusetts,” noted Commissioner Nakisha Skinner.

“I share in Commissioner Skinner’s, I think frustration, and I will go so far to say anger that I have today for not being able to get a lot more information that I thought w

Read more here: https://sbcamericas.com/2024/05/21/m...rs-roundtable/