Colorado's gaming regulatory body issued a $50,000 fine to BetMGM for accepting 48 bets on college player props that were explicitly prohibited. This marks the second similar penalty within five months in the state, amidst increasingly strict regulations on college sports betting nationwide.
Penalty Details and Regulatory Requirements
At the November 20 meeting, the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission approved a $50,000 fine against BetMGM, with $25,000 due immediately and the remainder suspended for two years—meaning, if no further violations occur within these two years, the remaining amount will not need to be paid. In addition to the fine, BetMGM is also required to provide proof of its trading team undergoing training on Colorado's college betting restrictions. Regulatory officials noted that the operator generally complies well and reports issues proactively.
Details of the Violations Disclosed
From March 2023 to October 2024, BetMGM accepted 48 illegal bets totaling about $880. The earliest batch occurred during the 2023 National Invitation Tournament, involving eight men's basketball bets. The largest scale violation took place during the 2024 Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament, with 35 bets involving well-known players like Caitlin Clark—detailed analysis of such cases can be found in the regulatory column on the PASA official website. The most recent incident was a college football game in October this year.
National Regulatory Trends Tightening
BetMGM is the second operator within five months to be penalized for college player prop bets. In July this year, DraftKings was also fined $40,000 for similar violations. Currently, several states across the US are reassessing the rules for player prop bets, with states like Ohio and Maryland completely banning such bets, while others have restricted bets involving local teams. Colorado's regulatory body has clearly stated that they will strictly enforce the existing comprehensive ban.
