Audit: Mass. sports betting ads went to minors, people with gambling addiction
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Sports betting companies sent ads to minors and people struggling with gambling addiction in Massachusetts after the state legalized sports betting, a new audit found.
Why it matters: Companies bypassed advertising rules meant to prevent a legal sports betting market from exacerbating gambling addiction.
Driving the news: The Massachusetts Gaming Commission received 51 complaints of advertising targeting youth and people affected by gambling addiction between March 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
- In one case, sports betting ads were sent by mail to households with minors and people affected by gambling addiction.
- Other ads lacked the disclaimer that people must be age 21 or older to participate or lacked the number for the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline. Both are required under state law.
- The audit didn't name the sports betting operators who sent out the ads.
The fine print: State law doesn't require regulators to conduct a prior review of marketing materials, but the auditor's office said the commission should still do so.
- The law empowers regulators to "take action to address any noncompliance," the audit states.
The other side: The commission said it's working with an independent auditor to review each license holder's materials for compliance, per the audit.
The auditor's office also raised concerns about the lack of documentation the commission had on its GameSense employees' training credentials and employee settlement policies.
- The audit also found the commission did properly monitor the exclusion of minors on the gaming floor and properly review companies' internal plans to prevent minors from placing bets, as state law requires.
What's next: The auditor's office plans to follow up in six months on the commission's work to address these issues.