Keller on the mess at the Mass. gambling agency

Keller at Large

One hates to spoil a multimillionaire’s holiday surprise, but we already know what the local sports betting industry is getting for Christmas – another year of lighter-than-ashes fines for violations of Massachusetts law.

Their latest gift was opened early, at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s (MGC) Dec. 4 meeting. Three-time offender Fanatics was on the carpet for violating the ban on taking bets on non-tournament Massachusetts college sports.

Given the ever-growing litany of horror stories surrounding threats against athletes and the corruption of some at the pro and college level, you would think this sort of thing would alarm the commissioners. But the only objection to the token $20,000 fine came from Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s MGC appointee, Eileen O’Brien, who noted the penalty is “not much of a deterrent…. I’m a little disappointed, quite frankly, with the fine, I think it should be more severe…. Three times in a couple of years with a smack on the wrist – I just think there needs to be more done to make sure this doesn’t continue.”

That was too harsh for MGC Chairman Jordan Maynard. “Compared to other jurisdictions, our $20,000 and $30,000 and $40,000 fines are much higher,” he said. Noted O’Brien: “Compared to the revenue they make, no, I’m not so sure that that’s the relevant metric for deterrence.”

But these joke penalties are standard operating procedure for the MGC since sports betting began here in 2023.

CONTINUE READING…

HAPPENING TODAY

10:00 | The Boston Foundation and Association for Autism and Neurodiversity hold a Zoom webinar focused on the intersection of autism and mental health. The event will begin with brief remarks from Dr. Megan Anna Neff, clinical psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights. A panel discussion will be moderated by Becca Lory Hector, director of training for the association. | More Info and Access

4:00 | The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Board holds a virtual meeting. The agenda includes approval of the RGGI budget, executive committee elections, and an update on RGGI Inc. milestones. RGGI’s board includes heads of energy and environmental regulatory agencies in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. | Registration

4:00 | Downtown Boston Alliance holds annual meeting, with remarks from Mayor Michelle Wu. The event is meant to reflect on 2025 and preview what’s ahead next year. A cocktail reception will follow the business meeting. Tickets are free. | 125 Summer St., Boston | Register

5:30 | The Massachusetts Democratic Party hosts a holiday reception and fundraiser. Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll are scheduled to attend. | Alcott Junior Ballroom, Omni Parker House, 60 School St., Boston

6:30 | Sen. William Brownsberger holds a “community conversation” about his opposition to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposed property tax shift. | Presentation Foundation School Community Center, 640 Washington Street, Brighton

FROM BEACON HILL

CONVENTION CENTER: Marcel Vernon is out as Mass. Convention Center Authority CEO, agreeing to a separation and release of all claims for $500,000. The settlement agreement has a non-disparagement clause, which comes as Vernon’s attorney sent a letter alleging ethical violations by board chair Emme Handy. – Boston Business Journal

GOP TREASURER CANDIDATE: Elizabeth Dionne, GOP candidate for treasurer, lays out some routes of attack as she launches a campaign against incumbent Democrat Deb Goldberg: Taxes and spending, and the Cannabis Control Commission. – MassLive

ENDORSEMENT CORNER: The limited value of endorsements is the latest focus of the contretemps between the three GOP candidates for governor. – Boston Herald

NEWS NEXT DOOR

STATE POLICE ACADEMY: The State Police, a public law enforcement agency that has struggled for years with culture problems, is considering changes to the paramilitary-like structure of its training program, one year after the death of a recruit. – Boston Globe

INSURER OF LAST RESORT: Home insurance data in Massachusetts is showing the biggest jump in policy enrollment at the insurer of last resort, leading one former insurance executive to call the numbers “the canary in the coal mine.” – CommonWealth Beacon

MAYORAL AIDE IN COURT: After former Springfield mayoral aide Darryl Moss won his lawsuit against Domenic Sarno, the two camps are back in court this week, including a motion for nearly half a million dollars in legal fees. – Western Mass. Politics and Insight

RTA FUNDING: Regional transit authorities saw the release of $10 million in new grants, with the aim of improving connections between service areas and introducing new routes, particularly in Methuen. – StreetsBlogMass

PITTSFIELD PLANT: Pittsfield officials want to convert the fossil fuel-fired peaker plant into a battery energy storage facility. – Berkshire Eagle

NORTHEASTERN ARENA: Matthews Arena, owned by Northeastern University, closed its doors last week. The facility, older than Fenway Park, hosted both sports and politics, with both President Roosevelts walking through its doors. – Associated Press

WORCESTER RENTS: The New England region’s second largest city is undergoing a cooldown in the rental market after building more than 1,000 luxury apartments over the last several years. – GBH News