Loney said that once the company discovered the software error, the sportsbook was able to block further wagering and immediately began troubleshooting to correct the issue in cooperation with Maryland regulators. The app was supposed to re-direct customers to another web page containing a message that the online sports betting site would soon be taking bets on the site.
In a video call with the Commission, Rhea Loney, BetMGM’s chief compliance officer, explained that a failure in the BetMGM app allowed bettors to enter the legal sports betting app and place wagers after completing their registration. A software glitch has resulted in BetMGM being assessed a $146,000 fine by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, dwarfing the previous largest fine of $5,000.īetMGM agreed to pay the Maryland fine on Thursday as part of a consent agreement with the state regulatory authority after admitting to an error that saw it inadvertently accept 146 live sports bets totaling just over $2,000 during a three-hour, pre-launch test on November 16.īecause the bets were allowed to be placed a week before the operator was officially granted a mobile license on November 23 for sports betting in Maryland to go live, BetMGM was liable for accepting wagers without a license.
