BetMGM Updates Terms to Explicitly Ban Athlete Harassment

Online gaming and sports betting giant BetMGM announced that it has updated its terms of service, introducing new rules to shield athletes from harassment. The changes come amid a broader push against betting-motivated athlete harassment.

BetMGM Wants to Protect the Sports Sector’s Integrity

In its announcement, the betting company said that its terms of service now include wording that explicitly prohibits athlete harassment. As a result, BetMGM customers who are found to have abused professional sports players or personnel would now have their accounts suspended.

For comparison, the previous terms allowed account suspension for “any lawful reason,” but did not include specific wording surrounding athlete harassment. The latest changes highlight the operator’s zero-tolerance policy toward bad behavior toward sports personalities.

As mentioned, the changes come amid a push against the prevalence of cases of disgruntled sports bettors who harass athletes after losing a wager. Cases of harassment have plagued both the online sports discourse and live events.  

The refreshed terms of service are subject to necessary regulatory approvals, BetMGM added.

Football Legend Barry Sanders Hailed the Initiative

Rhea Loney, BetMGM’s chief compliance officer, commented on the changes to the operator’s terms of service, saying that they underscore the company’s “unwavering commitment to sports integrity.”

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.

Rhea Loney, chief compliance officer, BetMGM

Barry Sanders, a football legend and BetMGM brand ambassador, praised the operator’s initiative, saying that respect is a key element of professional sport.

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.

Barry Sanders, brand ambassador, BetMGM

The latest update is also in line with the operator’s broader compliance and integrity initiatives, which have included a strong focus on responsible gaming.

In other news, BetMGM recently announced that it has awarded a staggering $122.1 million in progressive jackpots in 2025 alone.