The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has developed and adopted an official seal of approval, which each licensed, online sportsbook operator is required to include on their digital platforms beginning this month, the MGC announced Friday.
Massachusetts online sports betting operators are now required to include the new seal for gamblers
The seal is intended to clarify for gamblers that they are accessing a platform licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bettors will now be able to easily distinguish between licensed, regulated platforms and illegal alternatives.
In addition to the state’s three brick-and-mortar counterparts, each of the seven licensed online operators in the Commonwealth are required to follow the laws and regulations governing sports wagering in Massachusetts.
Operators are required to implement strong consumer protections to ensure data and financial security, industry-leading Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to guarantee only those eligible to wager can access their platforms, and responsible gaming initiatives to make sure customers have support to manage their gambling.
Each operator is accountable to the MGC, which ensures compliance with Massachusetts laws and regulations. The seal will indicate that an operator is licensed in the Bay State.
Illegal operators do not pay state taxes, licensing fees, and may refuse to honor winning bets
Moreover, offshore and illegal operators have been accessible to U.S. bettors for years. Since legalization, unlicensed sportsbooks have masqueraded as lawful but do not pay state taxes or licensing fees.
“The MGC has spent considerable efforts ensuring that the operators licensed in the Commonwealth share our values and are committed to consumer protections and responsible gaming,” said Commissioner Eileen O’Brien.
“Massachusetts residents who choose to gamble on sports deserve to know their data, personal, and financial information are protected. … Only the legal marketplace offers those protections. By locating this seal, users will be able to easily identify a legal sportsbook from an illegal operator.”
However, the risks associated with illegal operators extend beyond identity theft and/or financial losses. Operators may refuse to honor winning bets, hidden fees can be charged to transactions, and bonuses may be canceled.
In October, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bovada, an offshore sportsbook and iGaming operator, and will continue to take action against illegal operators.
This newly adopted seal also builds trust with members of the public that choose to gamble. It serves as a visual reminder of the regulations in place within the legal market and encourages responsible gambling practices.
