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Massachusetts Launches “Bet on Respect” to Combat Bettor Harassment of Athletes

By jili tutorial · September 5, 2026

Massachusetts Launches “Bet on Respect” to Combat Bettor Harassment of Athletes

New Program Targets Abusive Gamblers Across All Licensed Sportsbooks

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is taking a firm stand against athlete harassment by disgruntled bettors. A new statewide initiative, called Bet on Respect, enables regulators to ban offenders from every licensed sportsbook and casino in Massachusetts.

The move follows high-profile incidents, including Olympic track star Gabby Thomas being harassed by a gambler at a meet in 2025. FanDuel banned that patron, but the new program ensures such consequences apply universally.

Why Individual Sportsbook Bans Have Limits

Major sportsbooks like BetMGM and DraftKings already have contractual authority to suspend or close accounts of customers found abusive toward athletes or coaches. However, those bans only apply to a single operator.

Bet on Respect Makes Bans Statewide and Enforceable

Under Bet on Respect, the punishment is regulator-backed and enforceable across the entire Massachusetts betting market. Once a bettor is placed on an exclusion list, every regulated operator in the state must enforce it. The process includes a formal investigation and appeal rights, meaning offenders cannot simply open an account with another sportsbook.

“Good-natured cheering and jeering are acceptable and even expected at sporting events,” said MGC Chair Jordan Maynard. “But sports wagering is an activity for adults, and adults should know better than to cross the line into harassment.”

New Portal Opens for Reporting Abuse

The MGC has established a harassment reporting portal where representatives from leagues, players’ associations, college athletics programs, sports venues, or athletes themselves can report abuse. Reports can also be emailed to [email protected].

The commission will investigate each complaint, and gamblers found to have crossed the line may face exclusion from all Massachusetts sportsbooks.

“Athletes, officials, and others associated with games being wagered on deserve to be free of intimidation,” Maynard added. “While this tool will be impactful, we hope its use will be limited, as patrons will know right from wrong.”

College Athletes Face Widespread Abuse

According to data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), student-athletes endure significant online abuse. Among Division I men’s basketball student-athletes, 51% have faced online abuse regarding their athletic performance, with 46% of those individuals reporting the abuse was directly tied to gambling.

Broad Industry and League Support

Bet on Respect already has backing from major sports organizations and operators, including:

Recent Incidents Highlight the Problem

Several recent cases underscore the need for such a program:

These incidents demonstrate the growing intersection of sports betting and athlete safety, prompting Massachusetts to take a leadership role in protecting players from harassment.

Originally published on Casino.org.