3 Massachusetts Sportsbooks in Hot Water Over Taking Bets on In-State College Teams

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently legalized sports betting, but under the condition that licensed sportsbooks are prohibited from taking bets on in-state schools.

So far, three approved gambling firms have violated this rule.

Encore sportsbook allowed wagering on the Boston College/Notre Dame women's basketball game.

MGM-Springfield allowed betting on a Harvard men's basketball game.

Plainridge took around $7,000 in wagers on a Merrimack/Long Island University men's game. 

One of the explanations given: "A major betting technology vendor 'mistakenly assigned the participant school state for Merrimack College as Florida instead of Massachusetts'."

The mishap allowed Merrimack to bypass the commonwealth's compliance filters.

"This commission has an obligation to take a more active role," Commissioner Eileen O'Brien said.

State regulators have no control over the sports betting system apparently.

"No, they wouldn't, and they really won't have control to be quite honest," says Father Richard McGowan of Boston College.  He also just happens to be an expert on the gambling industry.

"I think they meant well. But I think once push came to shove on revenue and things like that, yeah, it was lip service," McGowan said. 

Massachusetts also does not allow one to open their wagering account using a credit card. 

We'll have to wait and see how that works out.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com