The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has fined BetMGM, and its sports wagering partner Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing (MTRA) for accepting illegal wagers on the Evander Holyfield vs. Victor Belfort match held on September 11, 2021.
BetMGM not following the rules
A Board’s Office of Enforcement Counsel (OEC) consent agreement resulting from negotiations between BetMGM, MTRA, and the OEC was approved by the PGCB on Wednesday. This resulted in a fine of $7,500 and BetMGM further agreeing to payout wagers on the said event.
The facts of the matter are that the PGCB issued a statement informing operators that the Hollyfield vs. Belfort match was off-limits. But BetMGM went ahead and accepted player wagers, 76 in total.
PGCB clamping down on illegal gambling activity
The latest BetMGM fine comes barely a month after another operator, Parx Casino, was fined $10,000 by the PGCB. This was due to a case involving an 18-year-old player who was allowed to place bets at the table. The minimum gambling age in Pennsylvania is 21 years.
The PGCB, in addition, moved five more adults onto the Involuntary Exclusion List. It is the regulator’s opinion that these adults were guilty of leaving minors unattended while engaging in gambling activity. As a result, they will not be able to gamble legally anywhere in Pennsylvania.