Massachusetts has opened the betting market for the Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul fight, with a staggering $100 million at stake.
The upcoming boxing exhibition match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul is generating a significant amount of interest, not just for the sport, but also for the betting market. Here's a breakdown of the current state of betting on this highly-anticipated event.
Betting on exhibition boxing matches between professional boxers like Tyson and Paul is generally allowed in states where sports betting is legal, but it depends heavily on the specific rules and regulations set by each state's gaming authority and the sportsbook operator.
Exhibition bouts often involve flexible rules, weight differences, or special formats that sportsbooks and regulators must explicitly approve before offering wagers. For instance, the Tyson-Paul match will feature 14-ounce gloves instead of the 10-ounce gloves used in professional fights for safety reasons.
In Massachusetts, betting on the Tyson-Paul match is likely permitted if the event is licensed and appears in sportsbook offerings. Colorado regulates both sports betting and combat sports, and exhibitions must be sanctioned or approved for wagers. Nebraska regulators have amended their sports wagering rules to allow sportsbooks to offer markets for the Tyson-Paul fight.
Pennsylvania and Vermont have chosen not to allow betting on the Tyson-Paul match due to the 31-year age gap between the fighters. The MGA is seeking advice from other state regulators regarding betting on this exhibition match. Colorado has specific rules that do not allow betting markets on the Tyson-Paul fight.
The MGA has expressed concerns about black market activity and "betting-related corruption" in relation to the Tyson-Paul match. However, integrity monitoring agencies consider any chance of betting-linked corruption in the Tyson-Paul match as unlikely. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has sanctioned the Tyson-Paul fight for betting.
It's important to note that sportsbooks operate across these states, but the exact regulatory guidelines vary. Athletic commissions or gambling commissions in each jurisdiction may have different stances on betting on exhibitions. For example, under Massachusetts gaming law, betting on "ABC matches, including amateur bouts," is allowed.
Operators like FanDuel specify that bets on fights are settled based on the official fight outcome and that certain individuals (such as athletes or officials with influence over the event) are prohibited from wagering. This implies that sportsbooks apply strict internal rules to exhibition bouts based on official rulings.
The scheduled eight rounds for the Tyson-Paul match will be two minutes long instead of three. The event, known as the "$100m fight nobody wants," is still scheduled to take place on November 15. The boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, streamed by Netflix, is scheduled for November 15.
In conclusion, while legal betting on exhibition boxing matches in these states is possible, it is contingent on official approval, sportsbook rules, and state athletic commission oversight. Individual sportsbooks and state regulatory bodies may impose specific conditions or limitations to accommodate the exhibition nature of the bout. Bettors should check the specific sportsbook rules and state gaming commission announcements for the particular exhibition fight in question.
Celebrities like Mike Tyson and Jake Paul are not just entertaining fans with their upcoming boxing match, but also drawing attention from sports-betting enthusiasts. The upcoming Tyson-Paul match, though classified as an exhibition, is subject to specific regulations and rules set by each state's gaming authority and sportsbook operator, making it essential for bettors to examine sportsbook rules and state gaming commission announcements before making wagers on this high-profile event.