Massachusetts First State to Make Sportsbooks Explain Account Limits
Key Takeaways:
- Massachusetts is the first state requiring sportsbooks to notify bettors within 48 hours of any account restriction, with a specific reason rather than boilerplate language.
- Operators must also disclose exactly which markets or bet types have been limited, and the rule applies retroactively to restrictions issued before June 1.
- Early notices from DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, BetMGM, and theScore Bet varied in specificity, prompting debate over what constitutes sufficient detail.
Massachusetts bettors now have the right to know exactly why their sports betting accounts have been restricted, under a first-of-its-kind rule that took effect June 1.
What the Rule Requires
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted 5-0 in December 2025 to approve the regulation, with a June 1, 2026, compliance start date.
Under the new rule, every licensed sportsbook operating in Massachusetts must:
- Notify a bettor within 48 hours of any account restriction or limitation
- Provide a specific explanation for why the limitation was applied; generic or boilerplate responses aren't allowed
- Identify exactly which markets or bet types the bettor can no longer access
- Send notice even if the limitation originated in another state and simply carried over into Massachusetts
The rule applies retroactively. Bettors who were already limited before June 1 are still entitled to receive a formal, specific notice explaining the restriction.
Why Did Massachusetts Betting Regulators Act?
Account limiting, the practice of capping bet sizes or restricting markets for bettors deemed too skilled or too costly to the sportsbook, has been one of the most persistent complaints among sports bettors since legal wagering expanded across the US.
When discussing the need for regulations around account limiting, Commissioner Eileen O'Brien asked whether a limited bettor would understand, from a notice alone, exactly what triggered the restriction. Justin Stempeck, the chief deputy general counsel, said framing the notice as "due to a business decision" would not be sufficient. Commissioner Paul Brodeur said that sort of non-answer would be “kind of offensive.”
MGC spokesperson Thomas Mills said the commission built the rule around transparency rather than prescribing specific language, calling it a "first-in-class regulation" that the commission plans to monitor and potentially adjust over time. Sports wagering division chief Carrie Torrisi said her team would review the communications going out to bettors.
How Massachusetts Sportsbooks Have Responded
Massachusetts sportsbook operators DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook all confirmed they began issuing notices on June 1. theScore Bet and BetMGM also issued notices when the rule went into effect.
Early notices have varied in specificity, prompting public debate over whether the explanations are detailed enough to satisfy the spirit of the rule.
X user @TheArbFather posted a screenshot of his notice from DraftKings on June 1, in which the operator cited "internal risk management purposes based on observing activity indicative of targeting perceived market inefficiency":
Another user, @DataBasedBets on X, posted a similar notice in which DraftKings claimed "activity indicative of attempting to exploit potential latency associated with live market updates":
What It Means for Massachusetts Bettors
If you bet in Massachusetts and are limited, your operator is now legally required to explain why and identify the specific markets affected within 2 days. If your account was limited before June 1 and you never received an explanation, you're entitled to one retroactively.
