A sports betting regulator isn’t thrilled with an online sportsbook’s plan for so-called NFL cashbacks on first touchdown props.
At a Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting in September 2025, regulators revealed that Caesars Sportsbook sought approval to offer a twist on markets for who will score the first TD of a game.
Caesars is calling it a “close call cashback market,” where bettors can take worse odds but have “insurance” against their player scoring, for example, the second TD instead of the first.
According to comments in the MGC meeting, bettors could be refunded their initial stake if the player recorded the game’s third or fourth TD.
These bets are already available in 21 other sports betting states, the MGC said.
Nonetheless, two members of the MGC didn’t love the idea.
NFL Cashback Bets Going Too Far?
MGC Commissioner Eileen O’Brien criticized Caesars Sportsbook for the market.
“At a certain point, it gets to be absurd in terms of trying to get people to bet,” O’Brien said. “And betting on close calls to me seems ridiculous, but I understand that there is nothing unlawful about the request.”
A core argument for legalizing online sports betting in Massachusetts and other states was the offshore sports betting market. O’Brien questioned whether state-sanctioned sportsbooks should be going far beyond what offshore gambling sites offer.
“I would love to know if this is a type of offshore sportsbook offering,” O’Brien continued. “Because if it’s not even there, I would not be inclined to expand the catalog in Massachusetts to go this far. In terms of the lawfulness, I don’t see anything wrong with this market in that regard.”
In a recent MGC hearing, O’Brien was vocal about her skepticism of a Bally Bet self-exclusion error explanation.
Commissioner Paul Brodeur echoed O’Brien’s concerns about the NFL cashbacks market.
“When is enough enough, right?” Brodeur said. “How many options do you really need? We have access to sports 24/7. When the North American market goes dark, there are many other sports to bet on. The imagination runs wild.”
Brodeur said he was raising a more “philosophical” question about the sports betting industry, adding that Caesars’ NFL close call cashback market was just the latest offering that raised his eyebrows.
Caesars Sportsbook went live in Massachusetts in March 2023.
What is a TD Prop Bet?
A TD prop bet is a wager on touchdown outcomes within a game. These wagers can be made before the game begins and during the game.
Sportsbooks offer markets like “anytime touchdown scorer,” “first/last TD scorer,” “two or more TDs,” and over/under TD totals for a player or team.
These are among the most popular props for an online sportsbook, with odds typically reflecting a player’s role, matchup, and red-zone usage.
TD props are volatile and can encourage risky parlays. Many NFL bettors make parlays involving first TD scorer props, creating long-shot wagers that don’t reflect real-life probabilities.
NFL First TD Scorer Cashbacks & Addiction
Approximately two-thirds of football sports bettors experience NFL gambling issues.
Among sports, the NFL could be the most addictive for gambling. Betting addiction statistics show that over half of online bettors chase losses. To appear concerned with consumer safety, the casino industry has promoted the dubious concept of an NFL betting budget.
First touchdown scorer predictions appeal to some sports bettors because they promise a relatively big payout for a tiny stake. They also make popular parlay legs.
However, the nature of first TD scorer props can create near-misses that spike dopamine and reinforce chasing behavior. NFL penalties can erase a prop that you initially thought was a win.
Sports betting influencers release so-called tip sheets and “locks” on social media related to first TD scooter bets. Their content can feed the illusion of control and the element of skill in betting.
NFL cashbacks for TD props are especially problematic because they could create a false sense of strategy.
If you feel preoccupied or unable to stop betting NFL props, use self-exclusion tools and seek confidential help immediately. Call 1-800-GAMBLER if you need to talk to someone.
Can You Use Caesars Sportsbook in Massachusetts?
Yes, Caesars Sportsbook is legal in the state.
The MGC awarded a temporary, one-year sports wagering operator license to American Wagering, Inc. (d/b/a Caesars Sportsbook) in February 2023.
Regulators gave Caesars a full five-year license in September 2024.
The sportsbook operator license fee is $5 million. Caesars must also pay a 20% tax on gross sports wagering revenue.
Caesars Sportsbook’s license is tethered to Encore Boston Harbor.
Despite the state approval, Caesars Sportsbook causes harm to some residents. Promos, live bets, celebrity endorsements, and push notifications can fuel compulsive wagering.
The platform’s NFL cashbacks for TD props can also encourage misconceptions about skill/strategy in betting.
Related: Caesars Sportsbook Let Bettor ‘Lose’ $1.5 Million in a Month
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