On Thursday, Fanatics Sportsbook was fined $10,000 by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). In December, they incorrectly took a bet on an in-state football game. That goes directly against Massachusetts sports betting laws prohibiting in-state betting on college teams. Within 24 hours of the incident, Fanatics self-reported the violation and canceled the bet. The customer received a full refund. However, the sportsbook still has to answer why an in-state college wager was even taken in the first place. 

Along with the MGC, the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau recommended the $10,000 fine be implemented. Fanatics claim that a new employee incorrectly turned on the feature to allow in-state wagering. Yesterday, the MGC accepted the IEB’s unanimous recommendation for the $10,000 fine.

Fanatics is not the first operator in Massachusetts to receive this type of fine

Allowing wagers on in-state college games has happened before in Massachusetts. Earlier this year, Encore Harbor received a $40,000 fine for allowing in-person wagers on in-state college games. Plainridge Park Casino and MGM Springfield each had to pay $20,000 last year for similar violations. Fanatics is the latest to allow in-state wagering on college games. That’s why they received a $10,000 fine. 

MGC interim chair Jordan Maynard had this to say about the fine being assessed.

“The goal of the commission… was to make sure that we set the goalposts and once the goalposts were set they were followed,” – said Jordan Maynard. “I see that here.”

The NCAA is working to ban wagers on college sports all around the country

NCAA President Charlie Baker has been working tirelessly to ban player-prop bets on college sports. Baker claims this takes away from the integrity of the game. Additionally, numerous student-athletes have been affected by player-prop wagering. Several states have listened to Baker’s request and have banned player-prop wagering for college sports. 

Ohio and Maryland already have college player props outlawed. After August 1, player props will not be allowed anymore in Louisiana. Additionally, New Jersey and North Carolina have introduced legislation to ban player prop wagers. Meanwhile, states like Montana do not believe that banning college player prop wagering is necessary.