Massachusetts sports bettors are now prohibited from placing wagers on events governed by the International Boxing Association (IBA). This decision comes after a unanimous vote by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) during their meeting on August 15, where they removed the IBA from the state’s Sports Wagering Catalog. The move aligns with regulations that restrict betting on leagues and events with explicit ties to Russia.
The IBA has been part of Massachusetts’ sports betting offerings since its launch last year. Following this prohibition, sportsbooks in the state will be required to cancel and refund any outstanding bets related to IBA events.
Concerns Over IBA’s Russian Connections and Integrity Issues
Andrew Steffen, the MGC’s sports wagering operations manager, shared that concerns about the IBA arose during discussions focused on Olympic boxing. Further investigation revealed troubling details about the organization, particularly its ties to Russia. While the IBA is technically based in Lausanne, Switzerland, its current president, Umar Kremlev, shifted many operations to Russia after his election in December 2020. Kremlev was re-elected in 2022 for an additional four-year term.
Before the launch of sports betting in Massachusetts, the MGC established rules prohibiting bets on events linked to Russia and Belarus due to geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Steffen emphasized that the IBA’s connection to Russia justified its removal from the state’s betting catalog. He stated, “The IBA is the last international sports body still overseen by a Russian citizen and is the only one allowing Russian athletes to compete under their flag and play their national anthem.”
Olympic Exclusion and Integrity Concerns
The integrity of the IBA has also come under scrutiny. The organization has overseen boxing matches at the Summer Olympics since 1946. However, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prohibited the IBA from governing Olympic boxing, citing concerns regarding the organization’s governance and integrity. As a result, the IOC has managed boxing at the last two Summer Olympics.
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien supported the decision to ban wagering on the IBA, referencing both Massachusetts’ existing ban on Russian and Belarusian events and the IOC’s concerns over the IBA’s integrity. She remarked, “I was swayed by the fact that the IOC had growing concerns over the governance, financial management, and integrity of the IBA. Both issues lead me to support the sports wagering department’s recommendation.”
Recent Controversies and Other Boxing Options
While not explicitly discussed in the MGC meeting, recent controversies related to the IBA likely contributed to heightened scrutiny. During the women’s boxing events at the Paris Summer Olympics, misinformation circulated about boxer Imane Khelif, following an incident where Italian boxer Angela Carini exited her match prematurely. Allegations surfaced claiming Khelif was a trans woman, which the IOC refuted by confirming that Khelif had always identified as a woman.
In response to these controversies, the IBA faced backlash when Kremlev made statements regarding Khelif’s eligibility, referencing genetic testing and other assertions that led to significant online harassment against the athlete.
Despite the removal of the IBA, Massachusetts bettors still have a wealth of options for boxing wagering. The state’s Sports Wagering Catalog includes various other recognized boxing leagues, such as:
- World Boxing Association
- World Boxing Council
- World Boxing Organization
- International Boxing Federation
- British Boxing Board of Control
- Association of Boxing Commissions
- African Boxing Union
- British and Irish Boxing Authority
- International Boxing Organization
- International Boxing Union
- Irish Athletic Boxing Association
- Women’s International Boxing Association
- World Boxing Federation
- World Boxing Union
With this diverse array of leagues, bettors in Massachusetts can continue to engage with boxing events while adhering to the latest regulatory changes.
Source : https://www.playma.com/news/international-boxing-association-removed-massachusetts-sports-betting-catalog/
