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BetMGM announced Monday that it was updating its terms of service to explicitly prohibit customers from harassing athletes, a move the U.S. sports betting operator framed as part of a broader push for sports integrity and player safety.
Under the revised terms, BetMGM said it will suspend a customer’s account if the customer is found to have used harassing or abusive language toward athletes, coaches and other personnel of a team or league.
The company said its previous terms already allowed it to suspend accounts for any legal reason, including harassment, but that the new language was intended to provide clearer standards.
“Any confirmed instances of harassment will result in decisive action, including account suspension,” said BetMGM Chief Compliance Officer Rhea Loney. said in a statement.
BetMGM is one of the brands operating in the regulated gaming market in Ontario and a company spokesperson confirmed to CBC News that the updated terms of service apply to its customers in the Canadian province.
“No room” for harassment
Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and BetMGM ambassador Barry Sanders said the update “sends the message that harassment “has no place in sports or sports betting.”
BetMGM tied its policy update to its broader “responsible gaming initiatives,” which include educational messaging at 10 soccer stadiums nationwide.
Gabby Thomas, three-time American Olympic gold medalist said last year that she was verbally abused by a punter at a Grand Slam Track event.
In 2024, tennis’ main governing bodies decided to “tackle online abuse” after publishing a report attributing almost half of abusive social media posts to angry players.
Former world number three Elina Svitolina said she was inundated with online abuse, including death threats, after her loss at the Canadian Open in August and blamed the behavior as “shameful”. on disgruntled punters.
