205 CMR 256.06
Advertising to Other Vulnerable Persons
marketing, or branding for Sports Wagering that is aimed exclusively or primarily at individuals
or groups of people that are at moderate or high risk of gambling addiction. A Sports Wagering
Operator shall not use characteristics of at-risk or problem bettors to target potentially at-risk or
problem bettors with advertisements.
Advertising, marketing, and other promotional materials published, aired, displayed,
disseminated, or distributed by or on behalf of any Sports Wagering Operator shall include a link
to and phone number for the Massachusetts Problem Gambling Helpline using language
provided by the Department of Public Health or such other responsible gaming information
required by the Commission ("Responsible Gaming Messaging").
(3) Such advertising, marketing, and other promotional materials shall not use a font, type size,
location, lighting, illustration, graphic depiction or color obscuring or limiting the advertisement
of such Problem Gambling Helpline Information.
Information regarding Responsible Gaming Messaging must also meet the following
requirements:
(a) For signs, direct mail marketing materials, posters and other print advertisements, the
height of the font used to advertise Responsible Gaming Messaging must be the greater of:
1. The same size as the majority of the text used in the sign, direct mail marketing
material, poster or other print advertisement; or
2. 2% of the height or width, whichever is greater, of the sign, direct mail marketing
material, poster or other print advertisement.
(b) For billboards, the height of the font used for Responsible Gaming Messaging must be
at least 5% of the height or width, whichever is greater, of the face of the billboard.
(c) For digital billboards, Responsible Gaming Messaging must be visible for the entire
time the rest of the advertisement is displayed.
(d) For video and television, Responsible Gaming Messaging must be visible for either:
1. The entire time the video or television advertisement is displayed, in which case the
height of the font used for Responsible Gaming Messaging must be at least 2% of the
height or width, whichever is greater, of the image that will be displayed.
2. From the first time Sports Wagering Equipment, a Sports Wagering Facility, a Sports
Wagering Area or Sports Wagering is displayed or verbally referenced, and on a
dedicated screen shot visible for at least the last three seconds of the video or television
advertisement. If the Operator elects to utilize this option, the height of the font used for
Responsible Gaming Messaging:
a. During the advertisement must be at least 2% of the height or width, whichever
is greater, of the image that will be displayed.
b.
On the dedicated screen shot must be at least 8% of the height or width,
whichever is greater, of the image that will be displayed.
(e) For web sites, including social media sites:
1. Responsible Gaming Messaging must be posted in a conspicuous location on each
website or profile page and on a gaming related advertisement posted on the webpage or
profile page.
2. The height of the font used for Responsible Gaming Messaging must be at least the
same size as the majority of the text used in the webpage or profile page.
256.06: continued
3. For advertisements posted on the webpage or profile page, the height of the font used
for Responsible Gaming Messaging must comply with the height required for signs,
direct mail marketing materials, posters and other print advertisements.
All direct advertising, marketing, or promotional materials shall include a clear and
conspicuous method allowing patrons to unsubscribe from future advertising, marketing, or
promotional communications.