The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has found that leading sportsbooks have accepted over $11 million in bets on the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

The MGC has never approved betting on the MPBL. Additionally, it is yet to approve esports betting.

For a market to become available, a sportsbook must file a petition with the MGC to request a new market. As yet, no sportsbook has filed for the MPBL or esports to be activated in the state.

Sportsbooks Accepted Hundreds of Thousands of Bets

Investigators found that 229,301 bets were accepted by Fanatics, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars Sportsbook on the MPBL.

DraftKings accounted for the majority of the betting, accepting more than 151,500 bets worth about $7.5 million. FanDuel took almost 63,000 bets worth $3.25 million.

No enforcement action has been taken by the MGC yet, but the violations may result in fines. The regulator fined DraftKings $450,000 for violating the state’s rules against credit card payments for gambling.

The MGC has also issued fines relating to other unauthorized markets. In May this year, it fined FanDuel $20,000 and Fanatics $10,000 for accepting bets on Belarusian soccer matches. Additionally, the regulator fined BetMGM for taking bets on the LPGA, which had not been approved for betting.

It is unknown whether the platforms believed the MPBL had been approved for betting. However, it is not a FIBA or International Basketball Federation-sanctioned league.

The Philippines Targeting Gambling Problems

There have been suspicions that the MBPL is prone to match-fixing. League founder, boxer Manny Pacquiao, has expressed a desire to clean up its image.

Pacquiao stated,  “I want to take care of the MPBL. You can’t fool the people. The games have to be competitive, without any ‘hocus-pocus.’ I don’t want anyone fooling the Filipino people and I am warning everyone, (if you involve yourself in game-fixing), you might just disappear (from the league)”.

The MPBL has banned 47 players and team officials over involvement in game-fixing schemes. In the Philippines, government officials have been banned from participating in any online gambling, including basketball and esports.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva urged the Civil Service Commission to adopt a similar policy to cover all civil servants nationwide.

“We trust that the commission would respond favorably to our call to prevent this menace of online gambling from harming our people, especially all officials and workers in government,” he added.