Massachusetts Says BetMGM Improperly Took Bets On College Athletes

A bureau in the state of Massachusetts has accused BetMGM of improperly taking player prop bets on college athletes.

The Investigations and Enforcement Bureau in the state reported on Thursday that BetMGM accepted over 15,000 bets for more than $200,000 on college athletes this college football season.

While some states such as New Jersey or Pennsylvania permit the practice, wagering on college athletes in Massachusetts isn't allowed.

A hearing will be held on the matter at a later date.

The commissioner of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Eileen O'Brien, suggested that the issue was not self-reported by BetMGM and was instead found as a part of an audit.

The hearing also illuminated two other cases of potential violations by sportsbook operators in the state. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission said the Springfield MGM location improperly accepted a wager of less than $10 on Northeastern's basketball team. The state prohibits wagers on in-state teams unless they're playing in March Madness or the NIT.

The other potential violation involved Fanatics. Like BetMGM, the sportsbook is alleged to have accepted $2 on an in-state team as part of a five-leg parlay.