Felix Upton on May 15, 2023
WWE wants to legalize gambling on their matches, and it seems that they have an update on that. Although the idea of betting on pre-arranged matches could change the very fabric of WWE’s booking system, it could still be a very lucrative endeavor for the company.
CNBC reported that WWE was actively pursuing the legalization of betting on its matches, employing the services of accounting firm Ernst & Young. The states of Michigan, Colorado, and Indiana were identified as the primary areas of focus.
At this time, WWE match betting is largely confined to offshore sportsbooks, predominantly in overseas locations. Wrestling Inc. approached 13 states for their views on permitting WWE match betting.
It turns out that three states, Oregon, Maryland, and South Dakota, outrightly dismissed the idea of laying down money to bet on wrestling matches. The Oregon Lottery’s Sports Betting Product Manager, Kerry Hemphill, stated that while there is no specific law against it, their policy forbids betting on scripted events with predetermined outcomes.
Seth Elkin, Maryland Lottery and Gaming’s Assistant Director of Communications for Public Affairs, indicated that Maryland’s laws and regulations disallow betting forms that run counter to public policy or are unfair to bettors. It doesn’t seem like Maryland is game to allow WWE gambling, either.
A representative from the South Dakota Department of Revenue also confirmed that WWE wrestling matches would not be eligible for sports wagering in their state. They simply keep hitting roadblocks everywhere they turn.
Ohio and Iowa also both objected to betting on predetermined events, with Brian J. Ohorilko, Administrator of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, stating that such events are not permitted under Iowa law.
It should also be noted that states like Arizona and Connecticut have laws prohibiting betting on fixed outcomes, while Maine and Montana are in agreement with most other states on the issue. Milton Champion, Executive Director of the Maine Gambling Control Unit, agreed with the skepticism shown by other states towards WWE betting.
Also, both New Jersey and Massachusetts declined to comment, while Washington and New Mexico pointed out the complications associated with tribal gaming. We will have to see if they decided one way or another.
The long story short here is that WWE gambling doesn’t look good. They are on DraftKings, and other sites, but you’re not going to get legalized WWE betting from the looks of it.
What’s your take on WWE betting? Sound off in the comments!
May 15, 2023 5:33 pm
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