The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has fined Fanatics Betting and Gaming $15,000 for taking a low-stake parlay bet that included an in-state college basketball game.
The MCG said in Thursday’s meeting that Fanatics accepted a parlay bet worth just $2 at the end of 2023. One of the four legs was a non-tournament game involving a Massachusetts college basketball team. Massachusetts sports betting rules prohibit wagering on in-state college teams outside of tournament action.
MGC Enforcement Counsel at the MCG Zachary Mercer told commissioners the error was identified before the game started and that the offending leg of the parlay was canceled. MGC Investigations and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) Director Caitlin Monahan clarified that in those instances, the bet continues with adjusted odds that take into account the removal of the leg.
As it happens, the parlay wager in question ultimately lost.
The MGC IEB notified the MCG about the error on Feb. 1, 2024. The IEB suggested a fine of $15,000 after investigating the incident. Mercer said Fanatics was “responsive and communicative” throughout the process and agreed with and accepted the punishment.
Commissioners unanimously approved the sanction.
Massachusetts has already fined Fanatics
This is the second time in the space of two months that the MGC has fined Fanatics.
It previously imposed a civil penalty of $10,000 on the sportsbook for taking a wager on an in-state college football game, also in December of last year. In that instance, Fanatics accepted a $50 futures bet on the Fenway Bowl game between Boston College and Southern Methodist University.
Fanatics told the MGC that the option to allow wagering on the college game was erroneously turned on by a new employee. Fanatics noticed the bet and self-reported the incident and the wager was refunded the day after it was placed, which was more than three weeks before the game was due to take place.
