Key facts
- Bill Simmons admitted to using his daughter's boyfriend to place sports bets for him in Massachusetts.
- Proxy betting is illegal in Massachusetts and prohibited by FanDuel.
- FanDuel voided the bets and sanctioned Simmons's account.
- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is investigating the matter.
- Simmons stated he learned his lesson and was unaware of the rules regarding proxy betting.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is investigating comments made by sports podcaster Bill Simmons on his podcast, "The Bill Simmons Podcast," in which he admitted to using his daughter's boyfriend, Hank, to place sports bets for him in Massachusetts. Simmons, who is based in California where sports betting is not legal, stated he was unaware that proxy betting was against the rules.
FanDuel, the sportsbook used for the wagers and a sponsor of Simmons's media platform The Ringer, confirmed it had voided the bets and taken action on Simmons's account. A FanDuel spokesperson indicated this action is consistent with their terms and conditions and MGC regulations, which prohibit account sharing and allow for account suspension or closure upon violation.
MGC Chair Jordan Maynard confirmed the commission is aware of the activity and staff are reviewing the matter, though he cautioned against prejudging the outcome. Simmons addressed the situation on a subsequent podcast episode, calling it a "lesson learned" and joking about the consequences. The MGC spokesperson, Thomas Mills, also confirmed the commission's awareness and ongoing review.
Simmons detailed on his podcast that he trusted Hank to log into his FanDuel account using a code sent to his phone to place bets, including on UCLA overs. He mentioned that both his daughter and Hank had recently turned 21, making them eligible to bet in Massachusetts. The bets were reportedly placed a month prior to his admission on the podcast.