Residents of 19 U.S. states are unable to place wagers on the much-anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
For this officially sanctioned fight, three significant rule modifications have been implemented, including reduced round durations and the use of heavier gloves.
The showdown between the legendary heavyweight champion Tyson, aged 58, and the well-known social media figure Paul, aged 27, is rapidly approaching.
This Friday, November 15th, the iconic sports figure Tyson is set to compete against Jake Paul, marking his return to professional boxing since his unexpected loss to Ireland’s Kevin McBride in 2005.
The match has been eagerly awaited, with the ‘Iron’ Mike versus ‘The Problem Child’ bout initially postponed earlier this year due to Tyson’s health scare.
After months of build-up, both fighters and a crowd of fans will gather at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, later today.
For those who decided against spending $2 million on a VIP ticket, the entire event can be viewed on Netflix, with coverage starting at 8pm ET.
While official fight purses have not been revealed, Paul stated at a press event in August: “I’m here to make $40m and knock out a legend.”
Tyson is reportedly set to earn approximately $20 million for this match, as noted by his friend and former UFC champion Henry Cejudo.
However, individuals in 19 states seeking to bet on this major boxing event may be disappointed.
Although sports betting is legalized in 38 states, not all are allowing bets on this particular fight.
New York, Pennsylvania, and Colorado are among the seven states declining bets, with the New York State Gaming Commission citing the fight’s ‘non-traditional rules’ as a concern.
Furthermore, 12 states have not yet legalized betting, including Texas, where the fight takes place.
These states include Alabama, Alaska, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah.
Even in states where betting is allowed, there is apprehension about potential backlash if the fight is perceived as an ‘exhibition’ rather than a genuine boxing contest.
Despite this, betting continues to surge, and while Tyson has shown robust training, he is currently viewed as the underdog with odds at +185.
In those states permitting bets, some individuals are poised to earn substantial returns from this year’s prominent sporting event.