The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) won’t be allowing PA online sportsbooks to accept bets on the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson exhibition boxing match on Friday evening.
Because of the nature of the fight, PGCB Communications Director, Doug Harbach, felt that decision was in the best interest of the public. He told PlayPennsylvania on Thursday:
“There are many factors that are looked at when there is an event that is unconventional. Many of the traditional rules in place for boxing matches that are permitted by us to be wagered upon are not in place for this event such as the time of rounds, number of rounds, and weight of gloves.
“So, given the totality of factors, the decision was made in the best interest of the betting public not to permit wagering in Pennsylvania.”
Unconventional rules led to the PGCB’s decision
According to ESPN, the fight between Paul and Tyson has been sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. However, the rules of this fight are different than a regular boxing match. Here are the main differences:
- Tyson and Paul will be wearing 14-ounce gloves instead of the standard 10-ounce gloves
- Rounds will last two minutes rather than three
- The fight will be eight rounds, compared to the average 10 or 12
Despite the fight being sanctioned, these key factors weighed in the PGCB’s decision to not accept bets on the fight.
The bout is taking place at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on Friday at 8 p.m. It’s expected to be one of the biggest boxing events ever. More than 60,000 fans are slated to fill the seats.
Fans can watch the event live on Netflix.
This isn’t the first time the PGCB banned bets on a boxing match
The PGCB instructed sportsbooks not to take any bets on a boxing match between Vitor Belfort and Evander Holyfield in September 2021. Harbach described the reasons to PlayPennsylvania in May 2023:
“In that instance, Oscar De La Hoya was scheduled to fight Vitor Belfort. De La Hoya had to pull out at the last minute. He was replaced by Evander Holyfield and the fight was moved from California to Florida on short notice because Holyfield was not licensed in CA.
“As the fight time drew closer, it was unclear if the match would be sanctioned and judged in Florida. So also in an abundance of caution, PA sportsbooks were informed that wagering on this fight would not be permitted.”
It’s rare for the PGCB to ban bets for a sporting event. However, if it feels as if the contest is compromised in any way, it’ll protect the public by not making it available.
