Betting on Russian and Belarusian sports events continues to be prohibited, marking three years since the ban was put in place.
In the heart of the American frontier, three years after the initial restrictions were put in place, sportsbooks across the United States are continuing to impose a betting ban on events, teams, and athletes associated with Russia and Belarus. Despite a lack of updates from state regulations, bettors find themselves unable to wager on competitions tied to these countries, leaving industry insiders questioning if and when this market will reopen.
The Gaming Commission's Steadfast Decision
The Colorado Division of Gaming, one of the largest regulated sports betting markets in the U.S., remains firm in its stance. A representative from the division confirmed to our site that there has been no movement on the matter since Industry Bulletin #10 was released, stating:
"We have yet to receive any further directives from the executive director's office on this subject. At this time, there has been no change to the prohibition of Russian and Belarusian governing bodies, leagues, teams, players, and events wagering in Colorado."
This stance is consistent with the approach taken by regulators in other states with legal sports betting, many of which implemented similar bans following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. These measures were instituted not just as a symbolic response to the conflict but also due to concerns over the integrity of Russian and Belarusian sports given state-controlled entities' influence over various leagues.
Awaiting the Return of Wagers
Despite evolving political developments, such as discussions of potential ceasefire talks between Russia and the U.S., sportsbook operators and regulatory bodies remain hesitant to adjust their policies. The uncertainty surrounding when the war may end further hinders any potential changes, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that peace with Russia could be "very, very far away."
President Donald Trump, who has expressed frustration over Ukraine's position, has reportedly fast-tracked a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. For reference, just weeks ago, Donald Trump had a -400 betting odds favoring a meeting between the two leaders before April ended.
While this development has ignited speculation about a potential ceasefire agreement, it's uncertain whether such talks would immediately impact sports betting regulations.
The reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian betting markets will likely depend on official diplomatic resolutions rather than speculative peace talks. Even if a ceasefire were to be reached soon, regulators would still need to reassess whether lifting the ban aligns with state policies and international concerns.
For the time being, America's legal sportsbooks remain regulated by state commissions' directives, leaving bettors in limbo. Some believe Russian and Belarusian odds could return within months of a formal peace agreement, while others argue that geopolitical tensions, economic sanctions, and concerns over match-fixing could maintain these restrictions indefinitely.
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News Tags: Belarus, Bulletin #10, Colorado, Donald Trump, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky
Written by Michael Molter
Michael Molter began his career in basketball scouting for Florida State University under Leonard Hamilton and the University of Alabama under Anthony Grant. He graduated from both schools and subsequently shifted his focus to covering NBA content. His current work encompasses sports betting revenue data, tennis betting odds, and sportsbook reviews. In his free time, Michael enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and kayaking.
- The Colorado Division of Gaming, a significant player in the U.S. regulated sports betting market, has shown no signs of altering its ban on wagers associated with Russia and Belarus, as stated in Industry Bulletin #10.
- Many states with legal sports betting have adopted similar bans on Russian and Belarusian sports betting, owing to concerns over state-controlled entities' influence on various leagues and the potential impact on the sports' integrity.
- The continuation of the war in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that peace with Russia could be "very, very far away," has further delayed any potential changes to these betting restrictions.
- The reinstatement of Russian and Belarusian betting markets will likely hinge on official diplomatic resolutions rather than speculative peace talks, and even then, regulators would need to reassess the ban's alignment with state policies and international concerns.
