The Massachusetts gambling regulator aims to address athlete abuse linked to betting.

Some people are willing to push the boundaries even further. For athletes, this creates a zero-sum game: excel, and some bets are lost; falter, and the same predicament ensues. This is where organizations like the Massachusetts Gambling Commission step in, with initiatives like the newly proposed Bet on Respect. This initiative will allow leagues, players’ associations, college athletic programs, and sports venues to report suspected harassment and share information about offenders. MGC Chairman Jordan Maynard spoke about the initiative, highlighting its purpose. It addresses both in-person and online abuse, offering broader selection criteria to hopefully bring about meaningful and impactful change. As part of enforcement, any individuals found guilty of abusing athletes, sports officials, or team members will be added to the state's involuntary exclusion list.

Typically, this list includes people who break gambling laws, commit tax fraud, or cheat at games, but the regulator is now broadening it to cover those abusing athletes over bets. To aid enforcement efforts, the MGC has launched a new online portal for reporting suspected abuse. When a report is received, the MGC has several options for action, following a systematic process to evaluate the report's credibility. Initially, the MGC investigates the claim and may issue subpoenas to collect further evidence. It then decides if the individual meets the exclusion criteria or dismisses the case. Anyone added to the involuntary list has 30 days to appeal the decision and seek reversal.