Back in February of this year, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) had decided to limit table tennis betting markets to only events sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation. That meant that TT Elite Series events were not included. But earlier this week, the MGC approved a DraftKings event petition, allowing wagers on TT Elite Series events. This comes after Major League Tennis betting markets went live in regulated sports betting markets earlier this year. It’s an example that shows how the MGC takes game integrity seriously, prioritizing player safety.
The Sports Wagering Division of the MGC reviewed the TT Elite Series. They found that it met industry standards with integrity, allowing it to be available within Massachusetts sports betting.
Previously, there were some concerns from the MGC about integrity within the TT Elite Series, but those were addressed within this review. Ultimately, the MGC voted 5-0 to bring back these betting markets to Massachusetts sports bettors.
While table tennis is a niche betting market, regulated markets need to feature all available offerings to their users, provided they meet integrity standards. Even though table tennis betting is not nearly as popular as other sports, having it available can help keep Massachusetts users within the regulated market.
When TT Elite Series was briefly unavailable in Massachusetts, there was a risk that bettors interested in table tennis wagering would migrate to offshore platforms. These offshore betting sites don’t have the same consumer safeguards in place when it comes to data security and responsible gaming tools.
On top of that, having users wager at offshore sportsbooks would take away from potential state tax revenue for Massachusetts, which could be used on essential services. By bringing back the TT Elite Series, the MGC can help deter offshore betting activity within the state.
This example of removing a betting market from Massachusetts offerings underscores how the MGC is committed to maintaining an environment that prioritizes integrity. Previously, the TT Elite Series did not meet those standards, which is why it was removed.
It shows how the system is functioning appropriately, where a state regulatory body is taking the necessary proactive measures to make sure all betting markets, even niche ones, are up to industry standards.
It took a thorough review of the TT Elite Series and a unanimous vote for the MGC to bring it back within the sports betting offerings, highlighting how serious an issue integrity monitoring can be.
On top of that, it took a petition from an industry leader like DraftKings to get MGC to conduct this review and bring back the TT Elite Series, which further highlights how closely scrutinized game integrity is within Massachusetts sports betting.
To that end, Massachusetts sports bettors can find comfort in knowing that the MGC has their best interests in mind when it comes to providing offerings that meet integrity standards, even if they’re niche markets.
