BetMGM Cracks Down on Abusive Bettors With New Harassment Ban
BetMGM will suspend customers who harass athletes or officials, tightening enforcement as lawmakers and regulators push tougher standards on bettor conduct.
BetMGM is tightening its terms of service to crack down on bettor harassment. Anyone who targets athletes, coaches, or officials with abusive language now risks an immediate account suspension. The rule applies across BetMGM’s U.S. and Ontario, Canada, operations.
The company announced the update on Feb. 2, formalizing language it previously reserved and removing any ambiguity about enforcement.
BetMGM Chief Compliance Officer Rhea Loney said the company remains “unwavering” in its commitment to sports integrity. Hall of Fame NFL running back and BetMGM ambassador Barry Sanders echoed that message. He called the update a “strong statement” that harassment has no place in sports or sports betting.
The move fits into BetMGM’s broader responsible gambling push. The operator continues to expand its GameSense education program, focused on healthier betting habits and better fan engagement.
GameSense messaging now appears at 10 NFL stadiums across the U.S., including on pre-game scoreboards, LED ribbon boards, and game-day magazines.
An Issue That Plagues Athletes
Harassment from bettors has become harder to ignore. In an anonymous survey of 75 NFL players by The Athletic, most respondents reported receiving abuse from fans. One player even got death threats.
While fans mainly message through platforms like X and Instagram, one player said losing bettors sent him Venmo payment requests.
The NCAA has taken a firm stance, especially when it comes to protecting student-athletes. A November NCAA survey found that 36% of Division I men’s college basketball players received abusive messages from bettors in the past year.
To reduce pressure, the NCAA has pushed for bans on individual player prop bets in college sports. NCAA President Charlie Baker wrote to every state gaming regulator on Jan. 15. He urged bans on player props and high-risk wagers such as first-half unders.
His request followed reports that more than 39 college athletes were caught point-shaving.
Several states, including Ohio, Louisiana, Maryland, and Vermont, already ban college player prop bets. Others, like New Jersey and Indiana, continue to debate similar legislation.
Lawmakers Cracking Down on Abusive Bettors
Lawmakers have also stepped in. In New York, a proposed bill would ban bettors who issue threats from all regulated sportsbooks in the state. The legislation covers verbal, written, and electronic threats. It defines abuse as behavior that causes severe emotional distress or fear for personal safety.
The Assembly version of the bill passed the Racing and Wagering Committee on Jan. 20 by a unanimous 10-0 vote. It now awaits a third reading in the General Assembly. Other states already enforce similar rules, including Wyoming, West Virginia, and Ohio.
Supporters say the measure would give regulators clearer authority to flag abusive customers and cut off their access across all licensed operators, treating harassment as a compliance violation rather than just a platform issue.
As sports betting continues to expand, operators, regulators, and lawmakers are drawing firmer boundaries. Threatening behavior no longer gets brushed off as part of the game. Bettors who cross the line risk losing access entirely.
Image credit: Dough4872 via Wikimedia Commons (license)
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