Bill Simmons under review by Massachusetts authorities after admitting to proxy sports betting

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has launched an investigation into allegations that prominent sports media figure Bill Simmons placed bets through a proxy, violating state gambling regulations. According to the commission, Simmons reportedly admitted during a recent podcast episode that he had someone else place bets on his behalf, a practice explicitly prohibited in Massachusetts. The probe comes after Simmons, who founded the sports media platform The Ringer, disclosed on his podcast that he had his daughter’s boyfriend log into his FanDuel account to place bets while he was in Los Angeles, where sports betting is not legal. The commission confirmed it is reviewing the situation following these revelations. FanDuel, the sportsbook associated with the bets, has already informed the commission and nullified the wagers. Simmons, who is based in California, acknowledged during the podcast that he had used a proxy on several occasions to place bets in Massachusetts. He explained that he chose to have his daughter’s boyfriend handle the transactions due to the complexity of the process and his lack of familiarity with the technology involved. During the episode, he described how he provided access codes to ensure the bets were placed under his name. "I get the code to make sure it’s me to my phone," Simmons said, recounting how he gave the code to his daughter’s boyfriend so he could log in to his FanDuel account. He mentioned that he had accumulated funds from successful bets in previous years and used them to place additional wagers through the proxy. A week after the initial transaction, Simmons contacted his daughter’s boyfriend again to place more bets, describing the experience as a "real bonding moment." However, he later admitted that he was unaware of the specific restrictions surrounding proxy betting in Massachusetts. In a subsequent episode of his podcast, released on Tuesday, Simmons clarified that he had not known about the prohibition against proxy betting. He stated that he believed such practices were permissible and expressed regret over the oversight. "Yeah, there are some real rules with this stuff, and they’ve ruled that not only are the bets going to be voided, and I learned my lesson," he said. Simmons, a former ESPN columnist and commentator, has built a substantial following through his work, particularly through "The Bill Simmons Podcast," which ranks among the top podcasts on Spotify. As of Tuesday, the show held the second position in the sports category and the 22nd spot overall on the platform. The Ringer, which Simmons co-founded, was acquired by Spotify in 2020 for over $200 million. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has emphasized its commitment to enforcing state laws regarding sports betting. While the investigation is ongoing, the commission has indicated that it will thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding Simmons' actions. FanDuel, which operates as the exclusive sports betting partner for The Ringer, has cooperated fully with the inquiry and has taken steps to address the issue by voiding the affected bets. As the situation develops, further details about the nature of the bets, their value, and the potential consequences for Simmons are expected to emerge. The commission has not yet commented on whether any formal action will be taken against Simmons or FanDuel. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked discussions about the clarity of proxy betting rules and the responsibilities of both bettors and sportsbooks in ensuring compliance with local regulations.