Massachusetts Probes ESPN Bet Over $12K ‘Risk-Free’ Comment
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) held a hearing to probe ESPN host Rece Davis’s March 2024 “College GameDay” remark calling a betting pick a “risk-free investment.”
A Costly On-Air Slip
Made during an ESPN Bet segment with analyst Erin Dolan, the comment violated Massachusetts sports betting laws and ESPN Bet’s content guidelines banning terms like “risk-free” or “free.”
PENN Entertainment, ESPN Bet’s parent, self-reported the issue, but now faces a potential fine or, worst case, license loss in a state where it handled $12,000 in illegal college bets in November 2024. The MGC aims to protect bettors from misleading claims.
Davis’s quip, praising Dolan’s NCAA pick as an “investment” rather than gambling, sparked backlash. “This is way more damaging to the sports betting industry than anything going on with Shohei Ohtani,” analyst Jared Smith posted on X.
Breaking the Rules
Davis’s comment breached specific regulations. Massachusetts law prohibits “risk-free” language in betting ads to ensure transparency, as 10% of bettors may misinterpret such terms.
ESPN Bet’s guidelines also bar suggesting bets guarantee success or financial gain, which “risk-free investment” implies. Video evidence from “College GameDay” and Davis’s McAfee appearance, where he clarified but didn’t apologize, was reviewed.
The case echoes a 2023 MGC action against Barstool’s “Can’t Lose Parlay” promo, pulled despite claims of satire. PENN, then Barstool’s parent, faced scrutiny, and now, as ESPN Bet’s operator in 22 states, it’s under fire again. “
The commission praised PENN’s self-reporting and swift guidance to Davis, but penalties loom, with fines potentially matching Fanatics’ $10,000 for similar infractions.
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