BetMGM has updated its terms of service to explicitly prohibit the harassment of athetes by its users.
BetMGM has updated its terms of service to explicitly prohibit the harassment of athetes by its users.
Under the revised terms, if a customer is found to have used harassing or abusive language towards any sports professional, including athletes, coaches, and team or league personnel, their account will be suspended by the operator.
Previously, BetMGM’s terms of service allowed the brand to suspend accounts for any lawful reason, including harassment.
Under the new terms, which remain subject to regulatory approval, harassment is explicitly named as a reason for account suspension.
BetMGM said the change reflects its commitment to both sports integrity and player safety.
The operator added that the update aligns with its broader responsible gambling initiatives, including the integration of educational messaging through the GameSense programme. The business also offers users a variety of responsible gambling tools to help control their play.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to sports integrity – and that commitment extends to safeguarding athletes, coaches and league personnel,” said Rhea Loney, BetMGM’s chief compliance officer.
“Our legal, regulated environment enables us to identify misconduct, investigate reports, and take action when necessary. Any confirmed instance of harassment will result in decisive measures, including account suspension.”
Abuse towards athletes continues
BetMGM ambassador Barry Sanders, a former NFL running back who played 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions, added: “As a professional athlete, I know how important respect is – both on and off the field.
“BetMGM is sending a strong message that harassment has no place in sports or sports betting. I’m proud to see BetMGM protecting athletes and promoting integrity.”
Harassment of athletes and other sport professionals has become an increasingly prevalent issue in the betting industry, with reports of online and in-person abuse becoming more common in recent years.
The Athletic’s recent NFL anonymous player survey, released last week, showed that 70.5% of respondents had been confronted or contacted by a fan about a sports betting or fantasy football loss.
One National Football Conference player said people had contacted him using slurs and issuing death threats, while another said he was contacted with requests for payments after fans lost bets on his performance
Elsewhere, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has repeatedly pointed to the growing trend of abuse towards student-athletes, and has taken multiple measures to reduce it.