205 Mass. Reg. 215.02

Current through Register 1523, June 7, 2024
Section 215.02 - Persons Required to be Qualified
(1) The following Persons shall be required to qualify as part of the Sports Wagering License review:
(a) If the Applicant is a corporation:
1. Each officer;
2. Each inside director;
3. Any Person owning, or having another beneficial or proprietary interest in, 10% or more of the common stock of the Applicant, or a holding, intermediary or subsidiary company of such company; and
4. In the judgment of the Division of Licensing after consultation with the Bureau, any Person with significant and substantial responsibility for the Applicant's Business under the jurisdiction of the Commission or having the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning the Applicant's operations in the Commonwealth.
(b) If the Applicant is a limited liability corporation:
1. Each member;
2. Each transferee of a member's interest;
3. Any other holder of a beneficial or proprietary interest of 10% or more in the Applicant;
4. Each manager; and
5. In the judgment of the Division of Licensing after consultation with the Bureau, any Person with significant and substantial responsibility for the Applicant's Business under the jurisdiction of the Commission or having the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning the prospective Applicant's operations in the Commonwealth.
(c) If the Applicant is a partnership:
1. Each partner;
2. Any other holder of a beneficial or proprietary interest of 10% or more in the Applicant; and
3. In the judgment of the Division of Licensing after consultation with the Bureau, any Person with significant and substantial responsibility for the Applicant's Business under the jurisdiction of the Commission or having the power to exercise significant influence over decisions concerning the Applicant's Operations in the Commonwealth.
(2)Other Qualifiers. The Commission may, in its sole discretion, require other Persons that have a Business association of any kind with the Applicant to undergo a Qualifier review and determination process. These Persons may include, but are not limited to, holding, intermediary or subsidiary companies of the requestor.
(3)Waivers and Persons Deemed Qualified.
(a)Waivers. In addition to any other exception or exemption under 205 CMR 215.00, upon written petition, the Commission may waive the requirement to be qualified as a Qualifier under 205 CMR 215.02 for:
1. Institutional investors holding up to 15% of the stock of the Applicant, or holding, intermediary or subsidiary company thereof, upon a showing by the Person seeking the waiver that it purchased the securities for investment purposes only and does not have any intention to influence or affect the affairs or operations of the Applicant or holding, intermediary or subsidiary company thereof. Provided, however, any institutional investor granted a waiver which subsequently determines to influence or affect the affairs or operations of the Applicant, or a holding, intermediary or subsidiary company thereof shall provide not less than 30 days' notice to the Commission of such intent and shall file an application and may be subject to the licensing requirements of 205 CMR 210.00 through 218.00 before taking any action that may influence or affect the affairs of the Applicant or a holding, intermediary or subsidiary company; or
2. Any Person who, in the opinion of the Bureau or the Commission, cannot exercise control or provide direction to an Applicant or a holding, intermediary or subsidiary company thereof.
(b)Persons Deemed Qualified. Any Person previously qualified pursuant to M.G.L. c. 23K or 205 CMR 116.00: Persons Required to Be Licensed or Qualified may be deemed qualified for purposes of M.G.L. c. 23N and 205 CMR 105: Investigations and Enforcement Bureau without an additional finding of suitability pursuant to 205 CMR 215.00.
(4)Qualification of New Qualifiers.
(a) No Person requiring qualification pursuant to 205 CMR 215.02(1) and (2) may perform any duties or exercise any powers relating to the position that said Qualifier is seeking to assume for a Sports Wagering Operator unless the Person notifies the Bureau in writing within 30 days of appointment to the position. Such notification shall be accompanied by the applicable Business entity or personal disclosure form specified by the Bureau. Following such notification and submission of the completed form, the Person may continue to perform duties and exercise powers relating to the position pending qualification.
(b) A Person with reason to believe that his or her new position with a Sports Wagering Operator may require qualification pursuant to 205 CMR 215.02(1) and(2) shall notify the Bureau in writing within 30 days of appointment to the position. Such notification shall be accompanied by a summary of the responsibilities and/or features of the position. The Bureau shall determine whether the Person shall be designated a Qualifier pursuant to 205 CMR 215.02(1) and (2) and shall notify the Person of such designation in writing. Within 30 days of designation as a Qualifier, the Person shall submit a completed personal disclosure form. Following submission of the completed form, the Person may continue to perform duties and exercise powers relating to the position pending qualification.
(c) The Bureau shall review the forms submitted by the new Qualifier, as well as such other information that the Bureau may request, and, upon completion of its investigation, shall make a recommendation in accordance with 205 CMR 215.01(1)(c) whether the new Qualifier meets the standards for suitability.
(d) Upon notification by the Bureau of a determination that reasonable cause exists to believe the Qualifier may not ultimately be found suitable, an Applicant shall promptly remove the Qualifier from his or her position until such time as the Commission makes its final determination on suitability.
(5)Internal Review of Determinations. An Applicant may ask for review of any determination made by the Bureau in accordance with either 205 CMR 215.02(1) through (3) or 205 CMR 215.02(4)(b) to the Commission, by filing a petition on a form prescribed by the Commission. The Commission shall decide the question at a public meeting on the matter at which it may allow representatives of the petitioner and Bureau to testify.

205 CMR 215.02

Adopted by Mass Register Issue 1484, eff. 11/16/2022 (EMERGENCY).
Amended by Mass Register Issue 1488, eff. 11/16/2022 (COMPLIANCE).