The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced its new Bet on Respect program Wednesday as the sports calendar heads toward a busy fall schedule.
Key Takeaways
- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission begins its Bet on Respect initiative to combat athlete harassment connected to sports wagering.
- Anyone can report incidents, with offenders potentially barred from sports wagering and Massachusetts casinos.
- The initiative comes amid concerns from athletes across multiple sports about harassment from bettors.
The initiative uses state law and Commission regulations to potentially exclude patrons found to have harassed athletes from Massachusetts sports betting and casinos.
Today, we're launching Bet On Respect to remind us all that there's a person behind every bet. Harassment has no place in the Commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/4A5hUvFbvP
— Mass Gaming Commission (@MassGamingComm) August 31, 2026
“I’ve been attending sporting events in Boston for as long as I can remember, so it’s safe to say over the years I’ve seen it all,” said MGC commissioner Brad Hill in a promotional video. “Especially the harassment directed at the players. It’s gotten even worse since sports wagering became legal, so the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is doing something about it.”
Incidents can be reported by anyone, including athletes, via email or through an Athlete Harassment Submission Portal. The MGC’s Sports Wagering Division will collect information and evidence before sending a report to the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, which can conduct further investigation or begin the exclusion process.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account“Today, we’re launching Bet on Respect. Whether you place a bet or not, adults should know better,” said MGC commissioner Eileen O’Brien. “Harass an athlete in Massachusetts, and you will lose access to sports wagering in the Commonwealth.”
Bettors target athletes
The initiative comes as athletes continue to call for more safeguards against harassment linked to sports betting.
In a survey of MLB players by The Athletic, an overwhelming majority of those interviewed said they had been confronted by sports bettors, with one player estimating that upward of 95% of players have faced gambling-related harassment.
"Is anyone going to answer no to this?" a National League pitcher said when asked whether he had dealt with poorly behaved bettors. "Even if you're not on social media, people find you. If your social media is private, they'll find your family members."
Athletes in other sports have also faced harassment. 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, for instance, shared that he felt gambling was leading to rowdier crowds on and off the course.
“For me, it's definitely becoming a problem, and the issue is, particularly in golf, it would be very easy to influence a bet, whether it's you're shouting on someone's backswing, shouting on a putting stroke,” Fitzpatrick said. “It's really easy. Obviously, that is really hard to monitor, but it is definitely an issue.”
