The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has fined PENN Sports Interactive, operator of ESPN Bet, $15,000 for a violation of the state’s sports wagering advertising regulations.

The penalty follows comments made by ESPN host Rece Davis during a March 2024 broadcast of College GameDay, in which he referred to a wager as a “risk-free investment.”

Regulators determined the statement was misleading and in breach of rules prohibiting advertising that suggests guaranteed or risk-free outcomes in sports betting.

The term “risk-free” was commonly used by sportsbooks several years ago as part of promotional offers. These campaigns typically promised that a bettor’s first wager would be matched or refunded up to a certain amount if it lost. Over time, however, regulators and responsible gaming advocates raised concerns that such phrasing could mislead consumers by implying that betting carried no real risk.

In response, operators have since replaced “risk-free” language with alternatives such as “first bet insurance” or “no sweat bet” to better reflect the inherent uncertainty involved in gambling.

The MGC emphasized this point in its ruling, stating that no wager should ever be characterized as “risk-free,” as it suggests a guaranteed or fail-safe outcome.

This distinction formed the basis of the MGC’s decision to fine ESPN BET after Davis used the term during College GameDay. The commission argued that such statements contradict responsible gaming principles and could undermine public trust in regulated sports wagering.