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Minor penalties have been issued against five major sportsbooks in Massachusetts after regulators reviewed a couple of betting market violations.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission confirmed fines totalling $80,500 for BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel. The cases, which go all theway back to September 2023 and stretch to July 2025, were all self-reported by the operators and later examined during a commission hearing.
“We, as a commission, come down pretty hard on the operators in these noncompliance matters where we need to, and with good reason,” Commissioner Nakisha Skinner said. “But the operators have stepped up their review of these matters and the protocol and remedial measures they have put in place to catch them.”
The violations included offering college player prop bets and failing to meet the regulator’s standards for betting markets. After discussion, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the fines.
Chair Jordan Maynard explained the scope of the review, noting, “These are retrospective. We’re looking back on pretty much close to the launch of sports wagering in Massachusetts in some of these cases.”
BetMGM, DraftKings, and Fanatics fined twice
Three operators, BetMGM, Fanatics, and DraftKings, were each penalized twice by the MGC for college betting violations. Fanatics received the largest fine tied to college markets, paying $7,500 after it accepted 36 wagers worth $545 on the 2025 Heisman Memorial Trophy between January and March of that year.
BetMGM and DraftKings were both fined $6,500 for separate mistakes. BetMGM’s violation came in October 2024 when it allowed a $10 player prop bet on UNLV receiver Ricky White’s receiving yards. DraftKings was penalized for taking 13 improper wagers totaling $457 in 2024 on former Michigan running back Blake Corum.
DraftKings also faced an additional penalty of $10,000 after offering player prop markets for an NCAA basketball game. 90 bets worth $1600 were placed during the two hours those markets were available.
Caesars accepted illegal EUROS 2024 bets
Caesars was fined $10,000 after the MGC found it had taken improper wagers during the UEFA European Championships in 2024. The operator accepted six bets worth a combined $8,270 on red card outcomes, which regulations ruled illegal since state rules ban markets tied to officiating decisions.
FanDuel also faced a penalty of $5000 for offering college player prop markets in September 2023, the first of the recorded violations. Those bets involved Nebraska football games and focused on passing yardage for former quarterback Jeff Sims. Because the commission prohibits all college player props, FanDuel’s violation drew the lowest fine among the operators.
Markets on UFC fights also bring fines
Fanatics and BetMGM were also fined for offering illegal UFC betting markets, adding to their earlier college violations.
Fanatics received the largest fine in this round, a $20,000 penalty, after regulators found 154 wagers had been placed on a July 2025 bout involving bantamweight fighter Petr Yan.
BetMGM was also sanctioned for UFC markets tied to Yan. The operator was fined $15,000 for accepting improper wagers across 2024 and 2025, with the commission ruling those bets out of bounds under Massachusetts regulations.
Commissioners pushed for higher fines
While the Commissioners signed off on every penalty unanimously, not all were satisfied with the amounts. Eileen O’Brien made clear she wanted tougher action, saying, “I would go higher on most of these,” while also noting she understood the push for consistency. She added, “I don’t think the metrics should only be comparing ourselves to other jurisdictions.”
Skinner highlighted progress from the operators, stating, “I want to give credit where credit is due,” she said, pointing out that sportsbooks have “really stepped up” their reviews and internal protocols to catch problems.
Maynard also framed the cases as proof that regulation works, stating that bettors in legal market have backing when mistakes occur. “If you’re in the legal market, we can make sure that patrons are made whole.”
He also explained that enforcement is meant to strengthen systems and transparency. The fines come as Massachusetts recently introduced new rules requiring operators to notify customers at least 48 hours before imposing account limits, a first in the country.
Source: SBC Americas
