Hearing Process for Appeals - Guidance for Appellants

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Tawan

Guidance for appellants on the hearing process for appeals submitted to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, including when an appeal must be filed and what types of decisions, penalties, or notices qualify for a hearing request. Explains submission requirements under 205 CMR 101.02(3), what happens after filing through a status conference, and how the proceeding may follow Formal or Informal Rules. Covers briefs, witness lists, exhibits, hearing scheduling, and practical participation expectations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

The Hearing Process for Appeals

Requests Eligible for Review

Filing Deadlines

Documents to File for a Hearing Officer

What Happens Next

Status Conference

During the Status Conference

Briefs

Witness List and Exhibits

After Scheduling the Hearing

At the Hearing

The Hearing Process for Appeals Disclaimer: This document is intended to help you understand the hearing process and does not constitute legal advice. You may request review by a hearing officer if you receive: • An order, decision, or civil administrative penalty issued by the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau (“IEB”) relative to the interpretation or application of a statute, regulation, or other applicable authority. • Disciplinary action or a penalty imposed by a judge with the Division of Racing or the Massachusetts State Police. • A Notice of Forfeiture issued in connection with a violation of the terms of the Voluntary Self-Exclusion program ("VSE") . Please note that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (“Commission”) cannot overturn a‘no trespassing’ order that was privately issued by a gaming establishment. If you receive a such an order, you may contact the establishment directly. Before you submit your Request for Hearing, please ensure that your filing is timely as there are relevant deadlines for submitting different types of appeals: • An order or decision issued by the IEB must be appealed no later than 30 days from the date of the order or decision. • A civil administrative penalty assessed by the IEB must be appealed within 21 days after the date ofthe IEB's notice of issuance of the civil administrative penalty. • A disciplinary action or a penalty imposed by a judge with Racing Division or the Massachusetts State Police must be appealed within 10 days of the date of the penalty or disciplinary action. • A forfeiture of funds in connection with the VSE must be appealed within 15 days of the date of the forfeiture. To schedule a hearing before a hearing officer, you must file the three following documents in accordance with 205 CMR 101.02(3) : (1) A completed Request for a Hearing Form, found on the Hearings and Appeals page of the Commission’s website. (2) A copy of the letter, order, or fine that is the subject of the request for review. (3) A separate document explaining the basis for the request for review by a Hearing Officer, including what remedy or result you seek. Once you have ensured your request is timely and you have completed the required forms, please submit the forms [to](to mgcclerk@massgaming.gov. You may hire)[ ](to mgcclerk@massgaming.gov. You may hire)[mgcclerk@massgaming.gov](to mgcclerk@massgaming.gov. You may hire)[. You may hire](to mgcclerk@massgaming.gov. You may hire) an attorney to represent you, or you may choose to represent yourself. What Happens Next: • Status Conference: Within ten days of receiving your request, the clerk of the Commission will notify you via email of receipt of your request and will schedule a status conference to be conducted remotely via the Microsoft Teams video conferencing platform. You will be provided with information to attend the status conference at the scheduled date and time. It is strongly recommended that you test your access to the platform prior to your scheduled status conference. In addition to yourself and/or your attorney should you choose to retain one, the other participants on the call will be the hearing officer, the Commission’s clerk, and the Commission’s attorney(s) . The purpose of this conference is to set a date and time for your hearing, establish additional dates necessary for filing materials before the hearing, and discuss any other relevant matters. During the Status Conference: • The hearing officer will ask if you would like to proceed with your hearing under the Formal or Informal Rules of Practice and Procedure. You will have the option to discuss the difference between the formal and informal rules with the hearing officer at this time. • Briefs: The hearing officer may require, or will ask if you would like to, file a brief prior to the hearing. If you choose to file a brief, the hearing officer will set a due date. A brief is aparty's written argument filed with the clerk

FAQs

What types of decisions or penalties allow an appellant to request a hearing review?

An appellant may request review of an order, decision, or civil administrative penalty issued by the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau, disciplinary action or penalties imposed by a judge with the Racing Division or the Massachusetts State Police, and a Notice of Forfeiture related to the Voluntary Self-Exclusion program.

What are the key appeal deadlines for different appeal types?

IEB orders or decisions must be appealed within 30 days; IEB civil administrative penalties within 21 days after the notice of issuance; racing division or Massachusetts State Police disciplinary actions or penalties within 10 days; and VSE-related forfeitures within 15 days.

What documents must be filed to schedule a hearing before a hearing officer?

File a completed Request for a Hearing Form, include a copy of the letter/order/fine that is being challenged, and submit a separate document explaining the basis for the review and the remedy or result sought.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Tawan