Massachusetts Approves Betting on Tyson-Paul Boxing Exhibition
Massachusetts gaming regulators have given the green light for bets to be placed on the upcoming exhibition boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, set to take place on November 15. In a unanimous decision made on Thursday, November 7, the state’s gaming commissioners determined that the fight falls within the permissible categories for sports betting.
The Tyson-Paul exhibition will be broadcast on Netflix and will feature several rule changes intended to prioritize safety. The match will be contested in two-minute rounds, as opposed to the usual three-minute rounds in professional boxing, and the fighters will wear 14-ounce gloves rather than the standard 10-ounce gloves. These changes were seen as positive by the commissioners, who emphasized the importance of safety in such high-profile events.
Commissioner Nakisha Skinner expressed that the adjustments made to the fight’s structure were a key factor in her decision to approve betting on the event. Her sentiments were shared by the other commissioners, who noted that these modifications could help mitigate some of the risks typically associated with high-stakes exhibition matches.
However, the decision wasn’t without some reservations. Commissioner Eileen O’Brien raised concerns about the nature of exhibition matches in general, particularly in light of some states opting to ban betting on such events. She suggested that Massachusetts might want to consider setting clearer parameters for betting on exhibitions in the future to ensure consistency across the industry.
While Massachusetts regulators have given the fight the go-ahead, other states, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, have decided to ban betting on the Tyson-Paul exhibition. Vermont and Pennsylvania cited the significant age difference between the fighters—31 years—as a major reason for their decision. These concerns echo ongoing debates about the safety and fairness of matches involving high-profile celebrities from different weight classes and experience levels.
The approval of betting on the Tyson-Paul exhibition marks a notable moment in the evolving landscape of sports betting, especially as more states continue to explore and regulate such markets. As the popularity of celebrity boxing matches and other exhibition events grows, regulators will likely continue to assess how these types of fights fit into existing betting frameworks and safety protocols.
