Key Moments:
- Penn Sports Interactive has been fined $15,000 by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
- The penalty followed comments by ESPN host Rece Davis during College GameDay in March 2024.
- The MGC cited policies against misleading advertising and marketing within sports betting promotions.
Details of the Fine
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) imposed a $15,000 penalty on Penn Sports Interactive after ESPN host Rece Davis described a sports bet as a “risk-free investment” during the firm’s College GameDay in March 2024. The comment came as Davis discussed betting opportunities with sports betting analyst Erin Dolan ahead of the UConn vs. Northwestern game. Davis stated that betting on Northwestern to score under 60.5 points would not be gambling, but rather a “risk-free investment.”
Clarification and Regulatory Response
Later that same day, Rece Davis posted on X: “During a segment this morning on College Game Day, due to ESPN Bet picks hitting yesterday, I joked the advice was more like ‘risk-free investing. As we all know, such a thing does not exist.
“Obviously, there are risks. Though I’m not a gambler, I strongly encourage those who do partake, do so with prudence, care, caution, fiscal and personal responsibility and never over-extend. Sports are unpredictable.”
The MGC reiterated its policy prohibiting “advertisements, marketing and branding in such a manner that is deceptive, false, misleading, or untrue, or tends to deceive or create a misleading impression whether directly, or by ambiguity or omission.”
Background on Enforcement Actions
Prior to this decision, in July, the MGC levied a $450,000 fine against DraftKings for permitting users to fund sports betting accounts with credit cards.
| Company | Fine Amount | Reason | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Sports Interactive | $15,000 | Comments made by ESPN host Rece Davis | March 2024 |
| DraftKings | $450,000 | Allowing use of credit cards to fund betting accounts | July |
- Author
Daniel Williams
