Mass. Gaming Commission approves Fanatics house‑rule revisions for sports betting

Chief Tracy and Compliance and Operations Manager Stefan briefed the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on proposed house-rule changes from Fanatics Betting & Gaming during the April 23 meeting and recommended approval.

Key changes the commission reviewed: mercy-rule settlements for baseball (the score at mercy-rule enforcement is treated as final for settlement); World Baseball Classic markets require a minimum of five innings (or four and a half if the home team leads) to count; certain major-golf tour markets are void if a golfer withdraws before completing a single stroke in the second round while markets already decided remain in force; a 48-hour window was added for postponed soccer matches (bets void if not played within that window); rugby league starter/entry language clarifies when try-score wagers remain active; and the house rules add explicit settlement language for non-athletic awards (Oscars/Emmys) and standard provisions for dead heats.

Commissioner Broderick asked whether the rules account for ‘‘obvious error’’ scenarios such as the 2017 Best Picture announcement mistake; Fanatics representatives said the rules include safeguards to correct human-announcing errors before final settlement and to preserve market integrity. After discussion, Commissioner Hill moved to approve the Fanatics house-rule revisions as included in the packet; the commission approved the motion by roll call, 5–0.

Staff said the updates align Fanatics’ operations with broader industry practice and are intended to reduce potential patron disputes.