Massachusetts Becomes First State to Make Sportsbooks Justify Bettor Account Restrictions

A regulation that took effect June 1 has placed Massachusetts ahead of every other state in the country when it comes to protecting sports bettors from account restrictions.

Under the new rule, any sportsbook operating in the Massachusetts sports betting market must contact a customer within 48 hours of limiting their account and provide a detailed, individualized reason for the limit. 

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) approved the regulation in December 2025 after years of examining the practice. The investigation began in July 2023 and progressed through two industry roundtables. The first, held in May 2024, drew zero operator representatives. The second, held in September, had all licensed sportsbooks present. 

Data submitted by operators during those discussions showed that just 0.64% of accounts carry any kind of restriction. However, the same figures made clear that bettors who win at above-average rates are considerably more likely to face limitations than those who do not, a pattern regulators found worth addressing. 

The rule goes beyond the current restrictions. Massachusetts sports betting app operators that placed limits on Massachusetts accounts before June 1 must still issue retroactive notifications to those users. Bettors restricted while wagering in other states who later bet in Massachusetts are covered as well. 

Since the policy went into effect, bettors have posted their notices online, revealing the language companies use to justify limits. Explanations have ranged from references to wagering patterns to timing-based market concerns.  

Regulators have also made clear that vague “boilerplate language” will not satisfy the requirement and that compliance is actively being monitored. Users in the state can continue to access the best Massachusetts sportsbook promos.

MGC chair raises alarm over prediction markets

The same commission pushing licensed operators toward greater accountability is also raising concerns about platforms that fall entirely outside state oversight. MGC Chair Jordan Maynard has publicly identified prediction markets as a consumer protection problem, with youth exposure as the primary issue. 

In an April television interview, Maynard explained that prediction market apps operate under federal derivatives law rather than state gambling regulations, allowing users 18 and older to participate. Licensed sportsbooks and casinos in Massachusetts enforce a 21-and-older requirement. He argued the difference, combined with aggressive social media promotion, puts younger people at unnecessary risk. 

Massachusetts became the first state to secure a court ruling blocking Kalshi from listing sports-related contracts. Kalshi later received a stay and has remained operational while litigation proceeds. Maynard has backed the state's legal position. 

As part of its response, the MGC announced a partnership with BetBlocker, a software tool parents can install to block both licensed gambling sites and unregulated platforms, including offshore books and prediction markets. 

On advertising, Maynard called for federal guidelines, noting that First Amendment protections prevent states from acting unilaterally on gambling promotions.