The state auditor wants gambling regulators to review sports betting companies’ ads before they reach the public, one of the recommendations in an audit released Thursday criticizing the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s oversight practices.
The audit comes at a time of increasing scrutiny on the current landscape of sports betting through studies, media reports and lawsuits. Massachusetts legalized sports wagering in 2022, clearing a path for the local launch of popular betting smartphone apps such as FanDuel, BetMGM and Boston-based DraftKings. Many other states have done the same.
In a review of the commission’s work from 2020 to the summer of 2023, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s Office found that 17 sports-wagering advertisements failed to include the number for the state’s problem gaming helpline.
