Bill Simmons’ FanDuel Proxy Bets Go Before Massachusetts Regulators

Bill Simmons’ admission that someone else placed bets on his FanDuel account reached Massachusetts regulators on Thursday, November 5. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) was set to receive a presentation on 22 wagers totaling $21,800.

Proxy betting is not allowed in Massachusetts and banned under FanDuel’s rules, which puts a public spotlight on account sharing.

What the MGC Enforcement Memo Says

The MGC’s Investigations and Enforcement Bureau sent commissioners a memo on what it called Simmons’ “sports wagering noncompliance matter”. Awful Announcing reported on the findings.

FanDuel reported 22 wagers tied to the matter, and the total handle was $21,800. The bets were placed on August 5, August 7, and August 19, 2026. The memo links the incident to Simmons’ own comments on his August 30 podcast.

Handle is the total amount of money wagered, regardless of whether those bets win or lose. So $21,800 reflects the combined stakes across all 22 bets. It says nothing about profit or loss.

How the Proxy Betting Happened, in Simmons’ Words

Proxy betting means placing a wager on behalf of another person, or letting someone else use your account to bet. Sportsbooks ban it because it breaks the link between a verified account holder and the person actually betting.

According to the memo, Simmons admitted to placing proxy wagers on his FanDuel account in Massachusetts through an acquaintance who was physically in the state. On The Bill Simmons Podcast, produced by The Ringer, Simmons identified that person as Hank, his daughter’s boyfriend.

Simmons described the process directly: “I let Hank log into my FanDuel as me, [sent] the code to make sure it’s me to my phone, I give him the code, he logs in.”

That detail matters. The verification code sent to his phone is a security check meant to confirm the account owner is the one logging in. Passing that code to someone else defeats its purpose.

Simmons Says the Bets Were Voided

Simmons returned to the topic on his September 1 podcast. He said he “did not know about the proxy rules” and that every bet was voided.

“Not allowed to do that. So all those bets went out the window,” Simmons said.

As of Awful Announcing’s November 5 report, Simmons had not publicly acknowledged the memo.

What We Don’t Know Yet About the MGC Review

No outcome has been reported. There is no public record of a fine, sanction, or formal decision from the commission tied to this matter.

We’ll update this story if the MGC releases a decision.

The case carries an added wrinkle. FanDuel is a longstanding partner of The Ringer, the media company behind Simmons’ podcast.

Why Bettors Shouldn’t Share Sportsbook Accounts or Verification Codes

Massachusetts bettors must be 21 or older and physically located in the state to bet with regulated operators.

Those location and identity checks only work if the account holder is the one placing bets. A few practical rules to follow are to never let anyone else log into your sportsbook account, never share the verification codes sent to your phone or email, don’t place bets for friends or family on your own account, and to check your sportsbook’s terms, since account sharing can lead to voided bets.

Simmons’ case shows that last point clearly. By his own account, all 22 bets were voided.

Why the Simmons Case Matters for Sports Betting Integrity

Betting integrity stories often center on game outcomes, as in the federal bribery case involving Terry Rozier. The Simmons matter is about account use, with no reported allegation of game manipulation. It became public because a high-profile bettor described it on air.

For regular bettors, the takeaway is simple. Your account, your identity, and your location must all match. Any shortcut can cost you your bets and draw a regulator’s attention. Bet only on your own account, and keep your codes to yourself.