Three U.S. lawmakers have asked sportsbooks and prediction-market companies for data on VIP customers’ betting outcomes, as a Massachusetts review highlights differences in how operators set customers’ wager limits.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission linked repeated success against the closing line — the odds available when a market closes — to a greater likelihood of reduced stake limits. It also found VIP status more common among bettors whose limits had been raised. The findings do not explain why any individual received a limit or a VIP classification.
As of Dec. 10, 2024, Massachusetts operators had limited an average of 0.64% of their betting accounts. Among those accounts, 12.7% faced caps below 1% of the default stake. The commission counted accounts rather than individual customers, meaning one person could be represented more than once.
The commission compared customers’ bets with closing odds rather than tallying their gains or losses. In a separate six-month review, most bettors saw no change in their limits even when their performance against the closing line shifted substantially. Massachusetts rules require operators to notify customers of wagering restrictions, explain the reason and identify the affected markets.
DraftKings said individual limits help it manage financial exposure to skilled bettors and mistakes in its odds, according to its Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025. The filing also says personalized promotions help attract and retain customers.
CBS News reported that a Michigan bettor showed it a DraftKings NBA Cup ticket permitting a maximum wager of 49 cents. DraftKings told CBS that customer-specific limits apply to less than 0.15% of its accounts and depend on betting behavior, regardless of wins or losses. That companywide figure covers a different group of accounts from the Massachusetts measure.
ProPublica reported that its journalist received an invitation to a DraftKings VIP trial after chasing losses left the journalist down nearly $1,800 in one night.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Paul Tonko and Valerie Foushee requested information from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, Fanatics, Kalshi and Polymarket. They asked for customers’ average gains or losses before and after VIP enrollment, along with details of the programs.
The lawmakers raised concern that VIP perks may encourage customers to keep betting through losses. The Massachusetts findings do not establish whether such perks cause additional losses. The companies were asked to respond by Nov. 5.
