Ready to rumble

After enduring ridicule and delay, the $100m boxing match between “Iron” Mike Tyson and “Problem Child” Jake Paul is all set for November 15.  

But not without causing the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGA) a conundrum.??

MGA seeking advice from other state regulators

The first boxing event ever streamed by Netflix had the MGA seeking advice from other state regulators on allowing bets on the exhibition match between Tyson and Paul at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

According to Covers on Thursday, the MGA stated that following “extensive research and connecting with other jurisdictions” the regulator’s recommendation was “to let this event stand as approved for wagering.”

MGA questions legalities

The trailblazing Netflix fight is sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, an Association of Boxing Commissions member. According to media reports, under Massachusetts gaming law, betting on “ABC matches, including amateur bouts”, is allowed.?

The MGA’s Sports Betting Compliance and Operations Manager Andrew Steffen on Thursday, however, revealed his organization sought advice from other states.?

Steffen said Colorado had specific rules not allowing betting markets on Tyson-Paul, while “Nebraska regulators decided to amend their sports wagering rules” to allow sportsbooks to offer markets. 

The MGA exec also added that, despite rules allowing ABC bouts, Pennsylvania and Vermont chose to nix the Tyson/Paul market because of the 31-year age gap between the fighters.

The MGA eventually sanctioned betting on the fight but not after voicing concerns about black market activity and “betting-related corruption.”

Commission Chair Jordan Maynard explained that his body came to the conclusion that if it banned betting on the fight, “we would only be potentially moving people in Massachusetts to the illegal market.”

any chance of betting-linked corruption was unlikely

The MGC also questioned integrity monitoring agencies about the risks of the fight. Maynard said the agencies response was that “due to the significant public popularity, fight purses, and the multiple millions for both fighters,” any chance of betting-linked corruption was unlikely. 

Safety appeal

According to reports, three of the five MGC commissioners didn’t contest the wagering status of the Tyson/Paul event because of rule changes to make the bout safer.?

These include Tyson, 58, and Paul, 27, agreeing to wear 14-ounce gloves instead of the 10-ounce gloves used in professional fights. The scheduled eight rounds will also be two instead of three minutes long. 

Betr co-founder Paul is a -250 favorite at BetMGM to beat the retired former heavyweight champion. Tyson’s health issues postponed the event described as the “$100m fight nobody wants” from taking place in July as originally planned.