Massachusetts Bans Betting on International Boxing Association

Massachusetts boxing bettors will now have a smaller catalog of bets to choose from.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) announced that International Boxing Association (IBA) matches will no longer be allowed to be wagered on. The decision was made after a unanimous vote by the regulator. That means sportsbooks operating in the state will need to remove the IBA from their betting catalogs, leaving customers with fewer options.

The biggest reason for the decision was the group’s leadership, as it is a Russian-run organization. Aside from blowback over the invasion of Ukraine, the IBA has also faced many accusations of cheating and match-fixing. That makes it a bad association to bet on, leading to Massachusett's decision to drop it from their bet catalog.

While the IBA is a large association, bettors can still wager on the four major organizations: the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO.

IBA Causes Controversy at Olympics

The IBA also made headlines during the Olympics when they revealed failed gender tests for two athletes but refused to reveal what the test entailed or the actual results. This led to accusations of cheating, leading to a flood of hate for both athletes.

The controversy illuminated other issues with the IBA, including the Olympic Committee's decision to cut ties with the group. 

While the MGC hasn’t confirmed the scandal played a role in their decision, the timing suggests there is a connection. Many Americans were unaware of the IBA before the Olympics but walked away from it with a negative opinion of the embattled group.

While the MGC was the first to ban betting on the IBA after the Olympics, expect other markets to follow suit.