Massachusetts will soon launch its sports betting market. Some people are concerned about the safety of athletes as disgruntled gamblers might target professional players and their families.
The Players’ Association demands action
The Players’ Association, which represents the largest sports leagues in the United States, raised concerns and asked Massachusetts’ Gaming Commission for safety measures to be taken.
According to the association, it will accept any measure that protects pros sports players. The association suggested solutions like banning aggressive people from betting or preventing them entirely from betting on certain sports.
The issue was addressed in detail Monday.
Steve Fehr, special counsel for the NHL Players Association, stated that the entire sports industry is dependent on the players and must protect them. He stated that the Players’Association does not request funds. It is only asking for the Gaming Commission to make the game safer and more fair.
There are many ways that angry punters can harass you. After losing a large bet, these people often threaten a professional sportsman on social media. They may harass or assault the player in person, and sometimes they will go so far as to threaten a sports professional via social media. One example of this is when a Patriots fan threw beer at Tyreek Hill in 2018. This incident is being used as an argument to enforce additional regulations to protect players’ safety.
David Foster, National Basketball Players Association, noted that increased betting can lead to anxiety, tension and anger. It is therefore important to enforce discipline.
Extreme Harassment is rare, but it must be prevented
According to the Players’ Association, extreme betting behavior is rare. It is vital to have safeguards in place and the assurance that the Gaming Commission will intervene if necessary.
Representatives of the Association believe that cancelling games may be necessary only in very rare cases that are more common than usual. It is important to implement safety measures to discourage disruptive behavior, despite that. These measures can encourage athletes to speak out when they are harassed.
Eileen O’Brien, Commissioner believes the most important thing to do is ensure that sportsbooks take a firm stance against unruly gamblers. She said that she was happy to see enough awareness of this problem to facilitate productive discussions.
Chairwoman Cathy Judd Stein stated that it was “paramount” for bettor to not intimidate players, league officials or their families. She believes the commission should focus on player safety and improve the regulation language. Judd-Stein also noted that licensed sportsbooks will be part of these efforts.
Although the Gaming Commission has so far indicated that it is open to the Players Association’s suggestions, it is not sure if it can legally impose any of these proposed measures. Representatives said they would investigate the matter to determine if anti-harassment provisions could be added to local sports betting regulations.
