A highly anticipated heavyweight boxing match between legend Mike Tyson and social media star and Betr co-founder Jake Paul is garnering the interest of sports bettors.
The exhibition bout, which will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is drawing the attention of sports fans with many wanting to get in on the action through their state’s licensed operators. Despite the interest, not all regulated markets in the U.S. are allowing sportsbooks to offer pre-match and live betting odds on the bout which takes place on Nov. 15. The match will air on Netflix marking its first foray into live boxing.
The bout is sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) with two rule changes, which include the use of 14-ounce gloves and two-minute rounds. Standard bouts sanctioned by TDLR and ABC Boxing use 10-ounce gloves with three-minute rounds.
The rule changes have caused regulated markets across America to consider allowing betting markets, including the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC). On Thursday, the MGC held an open meeting where commissioners discussed the event.
The MGC has taken into consideration states that have determined whether they will allow wagering on Tyson vs. Paul. In its research, the MGC found that Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, North Carolina and Washington will allow wagering. On the other hand, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Colorado and New York have banned it.
The states have taken their stance against allowing betting markets due to a “deviation from standard rules,” according to the MGC.
New York, America’s largest online gaming market, will not allow licensed operators in the state to offer betting markets on the bout as “boxing matches approved for wagering in New York must follow unified rules as set by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, which call for three-minute rounds and 10-ounce gloves,” New York State Gaming Commission Director of Communications Brad Maione told NEWS10.
Pennsylvania also cited the 31-year age difference between the two fighters as a reason why markets on the fight are banned.
New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Colorado typically allow wagering on ABC Boxing matches.
By comparison, Nebraska does not typically allow wagering on exhibition matches but the state’s gaming regulator has made an exception to prevent betting with illegal sportsbooks.
The MGC has decided to allow wagering on the event as it permits exhibition matches.
Integrity concerns regarding the match have also been addressed with two integrity monitoring services believing that it is unlikely for the fight to attract any betting-related corruption. The services cite public popularity and purse sizes for their reasoning.
Countdown to Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul
Paul is facing Tyson later this month after a four-month delay. The bout was originally scheduled for July 20 but a medical emergency involving Tyson led to its postponement.
Tyson and Paul have teamed up to release a docuseries ahead of the bout that provides an inside look into the preparation for both fighters. The docuseries, Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, is available on Netflix. It also includes appearances from other boxers on the card.
