Massachusetts Gaming Commission probes Bill Simmons' proxy betting admission
The state gaming regulator is reviewing Bill Simmons' claim that he let his daughter's boyfriend place bets on his FanDuel account, after the sportsbook voided the wagers and sanctioned the account.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission said it is examining comments made by sports media figure Bill Simmons in which he admitted allowing his daughter’s boyfriend to place wagers on his FanDuel account. The admission was made on Simmons' podcast during a discussion of NFL betting lines.
MGC spokesperson Thomas Mills told Front Office Sports that staff are reviewing the matter. FanDuel confirmed it had voided the bets and taken action against the account after learning of the comments, noting that it reported the incident to the commission and acted in accordance with its terms and state regulations.
Under Massachusetts law and FanDuel’s own rules, proxy betting—having another person place wagers using one’s account—is prohibited. The regulations require sportsbooks to block individuals who bet on behalf of others and to cancel any such wagers, with potential forfeiture of winnings.
"We became aware of the issue and handled it consistent with our Terms and Conditions and Massachusetts Gaming Commission regulations, including reporting the matter to the MGC, voiding the bets, and actioning the account," FanDuel said.
Simmons, who resides in California where sports betting is not legal, said he trusted the boyfriend to log in, receive a verification code, and place the bets he wanted. He described the arrangement as a "bonding moment" with the boyfriend.
The commission’s review will determine whether further enforcement action is warranted against Simmons or the proxy bettor.