Massachusetts regulator launches Bet On Respect initiative
The programme comes as regulators seek to address growing concerns over abusive behaviour from bettors towards athletes.
US.- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has launched Bet On Respect, an initiative aimed at protecting athletes from harassment by bettors. The regulator will exclude individuals found to have harassed or threatened athletes from licensed sportsbooks and casinos.
League representatives, players’ associations, college athletics programmes, sports venues and athletes themselves can report suspected incidents to the MGC. The commission’s Sports Wagering Division will collect evidence and refer cases to its Investigations and Enforcement Bureau for review.
Bettors who deliberately harass athletes or threaten to injure them may be placed on an MGC exclusion list. Reports can be submitted through the Athlete Harassment Submission Portal or by email to [email protected].
The MGC said the initiative is intended to reinforce existing state laws and regulations, saying that “respect keeps the game fun, fair, and safe for everyone.”
