Encore Boston Harbor Fined $40,000 by Massachusetts Gaming Commission

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY SportsEncore Boston Harbor has been fined $40,000The Massachusetts Gaming Commission levied the fine following Encore Boston Harbor accepting improper bets on in-state collegesThe sportsbook accepted bets on two separate Boston College women’s basketball games in February

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is closing the book on one matter of noncompliance involving Encore Boston Harbor’s sportsbook.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has levied a $40,000 fine to Encore Boston Harbor as a result of its sportsbook accepting bets on two separate Boston College women’s basketball games earlier this month.

Massachusetts prohibits sports bets on in-state colleges and universities not competing in a tournament.

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Encore Self-Reported Incidents

Encore Boston Harbor contacted the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Feb. 21, 2023 that it had improperly accepted wagers on two unauthorized events. The Investigations and Enforcement Bureau completed its evaluation of the incidents on March 8, 2023, and the MCG held a hearing with Encore Boston Harbor on April 14, 2023.

It was revealed that Encore Sportsbook accepted wagers on a regular season Boston College vs. University of North Carolina women’s basketball team on Feb. 12, 2023. In total, $163 in handle were placed on the events, three wagers in total, and all were placed at a sports betting kiosk. One bet won, which totaled $53 in winnings.

Four days later, on Feb. 19, 2023, Encore offered wagers on a regular season Boston College vs. University of Louisville women’s basketball game. Four bets were placed on the game and the total handle was $50. The bets were all placed on a sports betting kiosk and one bet was a winner, totaling $9.09 in winnings.

This was the second batch of in-state college games that Encore had offered in the month of February. A separate adjudicatory hearing was held following an incident on Feb. 2, 2023, where Encore Boston Harbor offering betting on a Boston College vs. Notre Dame’s women’s basketball game. The MGC previously levied a $10,000 fine for that incident as well.

Since the incident, Encore has instituted twice-daily morning and evening audits of its Massachusetts colleges sports offerings to confirm that no in-state colleges or universities are being offered for bets.

A Serious Violation

In its decision to fine Encore Boston Harbor, the MGC described the incidents as a “serious violation of statue, regulation, and the Massachusetts Sports Wagering Catalogue.”

“This was especially troubling given the same communication issues in the adjudicatory hearing regarding the February 2, 2023, incident. Only after the Commission requested additional information from Encore was a cogent explanation and solve for the noncompliance event provided. Despite this being the second adjudicatory hearing on the same type of noncompliance event, Encore did not demonstrate that it had its vendors under control, or that it had even coordinated with them in preparation for the hearing. The Commission expects more of its Operators and licensees,” the MGC wrote.