MGC flags FanDuel promotion ahead of mobile betting launch

Ahead of Friday’s launch of mobile sports betting in Massachusetts, MGC Commissioner Eileen O’Brien flagged three FanDuel ads for violating state advertising rules. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

FanDuel called

On the eve of the launch of mobile sports betting in Massachusetts, Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) Commissioner Eileen O’Brien flagged three FanDuel ads for possible violations of the state’s advertising regulations.

a third ad served using prepaid cards or credit cards to wager

Accordingly NBC Boston On Thursday, the Massachusetts Investigations and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) reviewed the FanDuel ads in question. The IEB found one ad related to iGaming, another offered free bets, while a third ad promoted the use of prepaid cards or credit cards for betting, which is illegal under state law.

MGC regulations also prohibit ads implying that sports betting is a risk-free endeavor. Commissioner O’Brien, who saw the FanDuel advertisement while watching TV, explained that the advertisement contained a “myriad of violations, all of which happened shortly before launch”.

ABC quoted an MGC executive as saying that FanDuel had removed two of the offensive ads and was “in the process of withdrawing the credit card ad”.

O’Brien issues warnings

While O’Brien said FanDuel has responded to her concerns, she strongly emphasized the fact that the Flutter-owned brand did not report the potential violations itself, saying, “I would like this to be brought before us in some way.” She added:

They react to us tagging them and we get inundated with ads.”

One of O’Brien’s suggestions was that the Commission should allocate a place on its agenda for IEB meetings to inform Commissioners about advertising and possible violations.

In response to concerns raised by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office, the commissioners have since expressed their openness to changing their sports betting regulations. Chair Cathy Judd-Stein has said the commission will review all proposals and has asked that Campbell’s office provide specific regulatory language before March 23.

Mixed news

dimensions First Assistant AG Patrick Moore also raised concerns about how social media and TV platforms could target ads to those under the legal gambling age in the States, 21. He suggested that operators should be required to be viewers Exclude those under a certain age from their ads.

Moore gave an example of how he and his 10-year-old child watch the Boston Celtics on networked television “every night” and that the message his son receives is this:

To enjoy the Celtics game, he has to bet on it.”

The mobile sports betting market opens in Massachusetts on Friday. The MGC has given the green light to launch Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, WynnBET and FanDuel.