BetMGM is aiming to combat betting-related harassment toward athletes by implementing a new policy.
The MGM Resorts and Entain joint venture announced an update to its terms of service with a focus on preventing athlete abuse. BetMGM’s previous versions of its terms of service prohibited harassment, but the operator is now taking the step to explicitly ban gambling-related harm directed at athletes amid recent calls to action by key stakeholders to protect athletes nationwide.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to sports integrity—and that commitment extends to safeguarding athletes, coaches and league personnel,” said BetMGM Chief Compliance Officer Rhea Loney. “Our legal, regulated environment enables us to identify misconduct, investigate reports, and take action when necessary. Any confirmed instance of harassment will result in decisive measures, including account suspension.”
Immediate suspension of accounts
BetMGM’s policy update suggested it is willing to go as far as to immediately block customer accounts found to direct abusive or harassing messages or language toward athletes. The policy also protects coaches, officials, and team and league personnel from abusive messaging. The update has garnered support from NFL legend and BetMGM brand ambassador Barry Sanders.
“As a professional athlete, I know how important respect is—both on and off the field. BetMGM is sending a strong message that harassment has no place in sports or sports betting,” said Sanders in a BetMGM release. “I’m proud to see BetMGM protecting athletes and promoting integrity.”
NY lawmaker wants to protect athletes from harassment
BetMGM’s change reflects the fact that betting-related abuse of sports personnel is an increasing focus for everyone from sportsbooks to sports leagues.
In New York, lawmakers are again considering Senate Bill 7482, carryover 2025 legislation that would consider anyone “found to have harassed or shown a harmful pattern of conduct directed at amateur or professional athletes” a prohibited sports bettor in the state. The measure also includes harassment directed toward coaches, officials or sports event participants.
The bill states that unlawful threats include verbal, written or electronic harassment that “would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress,” fear for their safety, or the safety of another person. Meanwhile, Assembly members are considering a companion bill to SB 7482, Assembly Bill 7903.
NCAA study identifies online abuse
Last June, the NCAA and Signify teamed up to publish a study on abuse directed at student-athletes. Signify and the NCAA analyzed over 1 million posts on social media made throughout the men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments in 2025.
Signify flagged 54,096 posts, with 3,161 determined to be abusive. As a result, the company initiated 103 investigations into the threats, with 10 referred to law enforcement.
The NCAA is also working with Venmo to protect athletes from harassment on the mobile payment platform with a 24-hour monitoring service for student-athlete accounts.
Major league sports stars have also spoken out about the harassment or abuse they have taken from sports bettors. Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito said last summer that he took his concerns directly to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
