The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board (SACB) announced earlier this week that it has adopted an updated sports betting policy for all licensees, officials, and employees.
New Jersey State Athletic Control Board’s sports betting policy applies to combative sports
Effective immediately, the policy prohibits unethical betting practices and reinforces the commitment to maintaining fairness and public trust in combative sports, including boxing, wrestling, extreme wrestling, kickboxing, and combative sports exhibitions, events, performances, and contests.
“With this action, we are safeguarding the integrity of combative sports events,” said SACB Commissioner Larry Hazzard Sr.
“By implementing these standards, we are sending a clear message that unethical behavior will not be tolerated in New Jersey’s combative sports industry.”
The policy applies to board officials, such as inspectors, timekeepers, judges, referees, and physicians; board members, including the chairman; and board employees, such as the commissioner and deputy commissioner.
Along with board officials and members, promoters, participants, and their agents are also encouraged to adopt integrity policies in line with these standards.
According to the SACB’s news release, key policy provisions include those related to betting restrictions, enforcement, prohibited conduct, and training.
Employees, members, and officials cannot place wagers on any combative sports event
Officials, members, and employees are prohibited from betting on any combative sports event, both within New Jersey and globally.
Legal betting on non-combative sports is allowed, but wagering must comply with local laws. Board employees are required to register with the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) before placing such bets in the Garden State.
Furthermore, all forms of illegal betting, including through unauthorized platforms, are strictly prohibited. Prohibited conduct includes match fixing and acting on or spreading insider information.
More importantly, promoters and participants, in addition to their agents and managers, cannot bet on combative sports events held in New Jersey or engage in any actions that compromise the integrity of performances.
Board personnel are also prohibited from working for sportsbooks or their affiliates. Additionally, board personnel are required to undergo training and acknowledge these policies.
All stakeholders, including board officials, members, employees, promotors, participants, agents, managers and seconds, are obligated to report any violations of this policy to the SACB Commissioner immediately.
Any violations may result in disciplinary actions, including fines, license suspensions, or revocation.