Wagering on Russian and Belarusian sports events continues to be prohibited, after a stretch of 3 years.
USA Sportsbooks Keeping a Frosty Relationship with Russian and Belarusian Athletes and Events
Fast forward three years, and sportsbooks in the United States are still enforcing a prohibition on betting on Russian and Belarusian athletes, teams, and competitions. Colorado, a major market for regulated sports betting, maintains its hardline stance, as a spokesperson from the state's Division of Gaming shares no change in their stance since the initial bulletin was issued. Other states like Louisiana and Massachusetts follow suit, with no signs of change on the horizon.
Regulatory Stubbornness
When asked about the matter, a Colorado Division of Gaming spokesperson confirmed no movement on the issue since bulletin #10 was published, stating:
"We haven't received any further directives from the executive director's office on this matter. Currently, there has been no change to the allowance of Russian and Belarusian governing bodies, leagues, teams, players, and events wagering in Colorado."
States across the U.S. have implemented comparable restrictions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, not just as a symbolic stand against the conflict but also due to concerns over the integrity of Russian and Belarusian sports, with state-controlled entities exerting influence over various leagues.
Will the Ban Ever Thaw?
Uncertainty surrounds when, or even if, the banned markets will reopen as shifting geopolitical developments, such as potential ceasefire talks between Russia and the U.S., fail to sway U.S. sportsbook operators and regulatory bodies. The war's uncertain end date, as stated by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, only adds to the hesitation.
Though President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, this may not necessarily lead to the reopening of Russian and Belarusian betting markets.
For those hoping to see Russian and Belarusian odds return, it's likely they'll have to wait until formal diplomatic resolutions are reached, rather than relying on speculative peace talks. Even then, regulatory bodies would need to review whether lifting the ban aligns with state policies and addresses international concerns.
As legal sportsbooks remain mired in the ban, bettors are left waiting in limbo, with some predicting a return of Russian and Belarusian markets within months of a peace agreement. Others, however, argue that the geopolitical tensions, economic sanctions, and concerns over match-fixing may prolong the restrictions indefinitely.
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Tags: Belarus, Bulletin 10, Colorado, Donald Trump, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Russia, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky
John DoeAfter spending time scouting college basketball for Florida State University under Leonard Hamilton and the University of Alabama under Anthony Grant, John Doe began writing focused on NBA content. A graduate of both schools, he now covers legal sports betting bills, sports betting revenue data, tennis betting odds, and sportsbook reviews. Joining our team, John enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and kayaking when not glued to the TV watching mid-level tennis matches.
- In the realm of regulated sports betting, Colorado, similar to Louisiana and Massachusetts, has maintained a stance prohibiting wagers on Russian and Belarusian athletic events, as confirmed by their Division of Gaming.
- The ban on Russian and Belarusian sports betting markets in the United States has remained, with no sign of change, despite geopolitical shifts and speculative peace talks, due to concerns over integrity and match-fixing.
- Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, various states implemented restrictions on sports betting related to Russia and Belarus, not just as a symbolic stand against the conflict, but also due to concerns over state-controlled entities influencing leagues.
- While President Donald Trump expressed a desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, such a meeting may not result in the reopening of banned Russian and Belarusian betting markets, as regulatory bodies would need to ensure any changes align with state policies and address international concerns.
