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Massachusetts gaming regulators stood united Monday against adding slap fighting to the Bay State’s sports wagering catalog.
By a vote of 5-0, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission turned down petitions by US Integrity to add both Power Slap and SlapFIGHT (governed by Sport Slap USA) to the state’s list of approved sports betting events. DraftKings and Betr had both expressed some interest in adding slap fighting to their offerings in Massachusetts, according to an MGC memo.
US Integrity – which consults with sportsbooks and leagues by detecting irregular betting activity – has contracted with both Power Slap and SlapFIGHT to monitor activity and wagering on their events. But US Integrity’s petitions to bring slap fighting to the Bay State were far from winners.
Commissioner Eileen O’Brien voted against all US Integrity petitions to add new events to Massachusetts sports betting menus brought before the commission Monday, after expressing concerns that the requests had not come from licensed sports betting operators. But she had specific concerns when it came to slap fighting.
“At a time when we’re learning about head injuries and impact, etc., the fact that (these events) would even be on this list is appalling to me,” O’Brien said Monday.
Commissioner Brad Hill seemed to agree. “I find the whole Power Slap thing to be quite distributing, and I just could not see myself supporting betting on such an event. It’s as clear and cut dry as that,” he said before voting against the requests today.
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Pro Mini Golf, NRX, Jai Alai Meet Similar Fate Before Mass Sports Betting Regulators
Power Slap and SlapFIGHT were two of six events brought by US Integrity before the commission for approval. None of the six were approved, although two – US Pro Mini Golf and Nitro Rallycross – had the backing of Hill and Commissioner Jordan Maynard.
A request to add jai alai to the catalog was discussed but not voted on by the commission Monday. Jai alai, which involves throwing a ball at high speed toward a wall with a long wicker cesta, or basket, has traditionally been offered as a parimutuel event in the US. The MGC decided earlier this year not to include it as an event in the state’s catalog.
Judd-Stein reminded the commission of that earlier decision before the body decided to proceed without acting on the request.
“It did trouble me that a petition came forward with jai alai when we as a group had turned it down,” she said today. “I feel a need to be vigilant…I’m hopeful for continued guidance from our licensees.”
Street League Skateboarding Also a No, At Least for Now
Also not making the cut today was Street League Skateboarding, or SLS, a tournament series that features pro street skateboarders competing before a panel of three judges. Colorado, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Wyoming have all recently allowed wagering on SLS. But rules against betting on judged contests leave Massachusetts out.
MGC sports wagering regulations prohibit betting on events where the outcome is evaluated or decided by a judge or panel of judges (editor’s note: despite this rule, betting on sports like boxing and MMA is allowed in Massachusetts).
MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said the commission may decide to revisit rules on judging at a future meeting. “When we went through the catalog we did indicate we probably should revisit that at the right time,” she said Monday. “Just a note that we can think about revisiting with more information.”
