NEW RULE: UFC fighters are no longer allowed to bet on UFC fights
Do Not Bet on UFC fights if you are a UFC fighter – Don’t event think about it
UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell sent a memo to all fighters on the UFC roster on Monday. That memo included an update to the promotion’s Code of Conduct, to which all fighters agree when they sign a fight contract.
The update states that fighters under contract to the UFC can no longer bet on UFC fights.
Campbell told Yahoo Sports “that athletes are still able to seek out sponsorships or deals as brand ambassadors from sports betting companies.”
Many sports do not allow their professional athletes to place wagers on the game, because ultimately, they can help sway the outcome and profit loss/gain. As more states legalized sports betting, their regulatory bodies adopted policies that made it illegal for athletes to bet on their sports.
Below is the full transcript of the memorandum provided.
From: Hunter Campbell, UFC Chief Business Officer
To: All Athletes and Managers
We are writing to advise you of a change to the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy to which each UFC athlete subscribes under our Promotion Agreement and/or Ancillary Rights Agreement. As you know, the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy requires UFC’s contracted athletes to act in a legal, ethical, and responsible manner and avoid conduct detrimental to the integrity of the UFC organization. In light of clear direction that we have received from regulators responsible for the regulated sports betting industry in the United States, we are compelled at this time to recognize in the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy certain restrictions relating to wagering by our athletes, members of their teams and certain others.
As you may already be aware, most states in which regulated sports betting is conducted prohibit athletes from wagering on promotions or events with which they are affiliated. Many states also extend this prohibition to the athletes’ training teams, family members and others that have access to “inside information” relating to the athletes and their events. In some instances, violations of these prohibitions could result in criminal charges. The UFC’s contracted athletes are not exempt from these prohibitions, which state legislators and regulators have implemented for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of our sport. In order to assist our athletes in understanding their obligations under the laws of the majority of states in which sports betting is permitted, and in further support of these integrity measures, UFC has incorporated a wagering prohibition into the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy expressly prohibiting athletes from wagering on any UFC match. We have also provided some additional information to assist athletes determining the potential scope of state-imposed wagering restrictions on others. Note: This policy does not prohibit UFC athletes from entering into sponsorship agreements with sports betting companies. UFC athletes may continue to pursue such sponsorships in accordance with applicable law.
We appreciate your dedication to our sport and your efforts to ensure its integrity. If you have any questions about the UFC Athlete Conduct Policy, you may contact me.
Please click here to review the full code of conduct, including new amendment on wagering.
Thank you.
