Massachusetts gaming regulators did not monitor sports betting advertising before it went public, allowing promotions to reach minors and people in the state’s self-exclusion program, according to the findings of a recent audit. Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office faulted the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for a lack of oversight. The first finding of her audit reports that 51 inappropriate advertising incidents were reported from March 2023 through March 2024. The audit examined the commission’s oversight of the sports wagering industry from July 2018 through March 2024. According to the audit, direct mail marketing materials were sent to underage youths and addicted gamblers, and materials were distributed without information about gambling addiction. The audit also faulted the allowance of a promotion that required players to place bets over 10 consecutive days, in contradiction to guidelines for lower-risk gaming. The auditor recommended creating new policies to ensure all marketing materials are reviewed before being distributed to customers. Another finding indicates that the commission did not ensure all GameSense agents underwent the mandatory training necessary for helping those with a gambling addiction. The auditor said there is only an informal exam associated with the GameSense training and recommended that policies be changed to ensure agents are properly trained before they begin assisting troubled gamblers.
Massachusetts gaming regulators did not monitor sports betting advertising before it went public, allowing promotions to reach minors and people in the state’s self-exclusion program, according to the findings of a recent audit.
Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office faulted the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for a lack of oversight. The first finding of her audit reports that 51 inappropriate advertising incidents were reported from March 2023 through March 2024.
The audit examined the commission’s oversight of the sports wagering industry from July 2018 through March 2024.
According to the audit, direct mail marketing materials were sent to underage youths and addicted gamblers, and materials were distributed without information about gambling addiction. The audit also faulted the allowance of a promotion that required players to place bets over 10 consecutive days, in contradiction to guidelines for lower-risk gaming.
The auditor recommended creating new policies to ensure all marketing materials are reviewed before being distributed to customers.
Another finding indicates that the commission did not ensure all GameSense agents underwent the mandatory training necessary for helping those with a gambling addiction. The auditor said there is only an informal exam associated with the GameSense training and recommended that policies be changed to ensure agents are properly trained before they begin assisting troubled gamblers.