(PRESS RELEASE) -- For most, sports wagering is entertainment but since the legalization of sports wagering instances of athlete harassment have increased. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission announced a new initiative called Bet on Respect to ensure that athletes participating in games being wagered on are protected.
Athlete harassment is unacceptable, and the Bet on Respect initiative will utilize Massachusetts law and Commission regulation (205 CMR 152) to exclude those who harass athletes, either online or in person, from accessing sports wagering and casinos in the Commonwealth.
"Good-natured cheering and jeering are acceptable and even expected at sporting events, but sports wagering is an activity for adults, and adults should know better than to cross the line into harassment,” said Jordan Maynard, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair. “Athletes, officials, and others associated with games being wagered on deserve to be free of intimidation during and surrounding competition. While this tool will be impactful, we hope its use will be limited as patrons will know right from wrong.”
The Commission has established a new portal for representatives of leagues, players’ associations, college athletics programs, sports venues, or players themselves to report suspected abuse. The Commission will investigate alleged athlete harassment, and patrons found to have committed such acts may be subject to involuntary exclusion.
To promote the initiative, the Commission has today released a video featuring commissioners and members of the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, and New England Revolution discouraging viewers from harassing an athlete in connection with sports wagering.