Axios Boston

September 02, 2025
It's Tuesday. Back to reality.
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Today's newsletter is 731 words โ a 3-minute read
1 big thing: Sports betting ads under scrutiny
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.
2. ๐ฅ Stat du jour: Storrowings
As of Aug. 28, police had responded to 36 Storrowings on the main roads along the Charles River, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
- Of course, these truck-bridge collisions also happen in New York, Michigan and Dalton, Massachusetts.
3. ๐ Back That Mass Up
๐ In August, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts' Business Confidence Index inched back up to 49, a 0.4 point increase from July, the organization tells Axios.
- Yes, but: A score below 50 indicates business leaders are still pretty pessimistic.
An attorney for former Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson asked for a judge to sentence her to probation and maybe community service for the two kickback charges to which she plead guilty. (UHub)
- Her attorney came with a series of support letters, including letters from councilors Brian Worrell, Julia Mejia and Liz Breadon, state representatives Christopher Worrell and Russell Holmes and state Sen. Liz Miranda.
- Her sentencing is set for Friday.
Three people were found dead Sunday morning at a multi-family home in Watertown. (NBC Boston)
๐ Market Basket executives' mediation is expected to start tomorrow, and Arthur T. Demoulas could be fired. (BBJ)
4. ๐ถ Boston's summer song, Spotify edition
"Ordinary" by Alex Warren was the song of the summer for Spotify users in Boston.
Driving the news: Spotify editors handpicked a list of tracks based on streaming data, cultural impact and editorial insight that "collectively defined the season across the Northern Hemisphere."
These were Boston's top 5 songs:
- "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, which is a love letter to his wife.
- "Manchild" by Sabrina Carpenter.
- "back to friends" by sombr.
- "Love Me Not" by Ravyn Lenae.
- "Shake It To The Max (FLY) โ Remix" by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea.
5. ๐ Social calendar
Tuesday, 9/2
American Idol alum Gabby Samone performs at City Winery, 7:30pm.
- Price: $25-$50.
Wednesday, 9/3
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and author Martha H. Patterson discuss their new book, "The New Negro: A History in Documents, 1887-1937," at Harvard Book Store, 7pm.
Thursday, 9/4
Coolidge Corner Theatre screens the caper classic, "The Sting," 7pm.
- The screening shows a digitally restored version of the film starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman.
- Price: $17.
Friday-Sunday, 9/5-9/7
Theย San Gennaro Feast returns to the North End on Friday, 5pm.
- The festivities run through Sunday afternoon.
Alamo Drafthouse hosts a "Hamilton" movie party Friday-Sunday to celebrate the Broadway show's big screen debut.
- Friday showings: 3:15pm, 7:30pm.
- Saturday showings: 11am, 3:15pm, 7:30pm.
- Sunday showings: 1pm, 6pm.
Price: $15.98.
Deehan is back from a week on the Cape.
Steph is contemplating making a "Storrowed" truck costume for Halloween.
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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