BET ON RESPECT is a program established by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) to ban patrons who harass athletes from placing wagers with licensed sports wagering operators and from accessing casino properties in Massachusetts. Representatives of leagues, players’ associations, college athletics programs, sports venues, and players themselves can report suspected abuse to the MGC for investigation.
This program utilizes Massachusetts law and Commission regulations to establish an exclusion list for individuals found to have harassed athletes.
Respect keeps the game fun, fair, and safe for everyone. Harassing athletes – online or in person – isn’t part of the game. It crosses the line, and it can cost you your betting privileges.
Whether you’re celebrating a big win or shaking off a tough loss, remember: how you play matters too. Cheer hard. Bet smart. Keep your cool.
Bet on Respect – don’t get benched.
How does BET ON RESPECT work?
Incidents are reported to the MGC by email at ReportAthleteHarassment@massgaming.gov or by submitting an incident through the Athlete Harassment Submission Portal. Incidents can be reported by anyone.
Once an incident is received, the Sports Wagering Division of the MGC will collect all information and evidence provided to create a detailed report, including working with sports wagering operators to identify the perpetrator in instances of online harassment. The report is submitted to the MGC Investigations and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) for the next steps.
The IEB reviews the report and included evidence to determine if the incident(s) meet the criteria outlined in 205 CMR 152.03 for exclusion. The criteria for exclusion include:
“Whether, in connection with sports wagering, the individual has either: willfully and maliciously engaged in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person, which seriously alarms that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress; or expressed an intent to injure the person or property of another, now or in the future; intended that the threat be conveyed to a particular person; the injury threatened, if carried out, would constitute a crime; and the threat was made under circumstances which could reasonably have caused the person to whom it was conveyed to fear that the individual had both the intention and ability to carry it out.”
Upon review of the evidence, the IEB has three courses of action:
a. Take further investigatory action, including using subpoena power to gather additional evidence and/or identify the perpetrator.
b. Determine that the incident does not meet the criteria for exclusion.
c. Determine the incident does meet the criteria for exclusion and begin the exclusion process.
Patrons placed on the exclusion list will receive a letter via first-class mail notifying them of the decision. The patron has 30 days to appeal the decision. Once the 30 days have passed or a determination on an appeal has been made, the patron will be placed on the exclusion list. This list is provided to sports wagering operators and casino properties in Massachusetts and takes immediate effect.