In order to participate in sports betting, the Ultimate Fighting Championship—better known as UFC—adopted the ProhiBet program. The system ensures participants follow the gambling regulations in place and identify unauthorized betting involving fighters, their staff and anyone associated with mixed martial arts matches.
ProhiBet is a partnership between Odds On Compliance and U.S. Integrity, the latter now the UFC’s official betting integrity partner. ProhiBet is an encrypted system designed to safeguard sports integrity and compliance with state-specific regulations.
Prohibited bettors—like in the name of the company—defined as UFC athletes, coaches, employees, and officials, will be monitored by regulatory agencies, according to ESPN.
“ProhiBet’s cutting-edge technology provides a secure and transparent method for sports properties, both professional and collegiate, and sportsbook operators, to ensure that athletes, coaches, and league/school administrative staff remain compliant with the intricate web of state regulations that govern sports betting activities,” the UFC said.
What triggered all this was an FBI investigation on questionable betting activity regarding a fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke last November 5. As a result of the inquiries, Minner, his coach James Krause, and his teammate Jeff Molina were suspended.
UFC fighters will now receive training via a video presentation on sports betting, thanks to U.S. Integrity. The video spells out what’s not legal., not only for fighters but for anyone with insider knowledge of the fighters.
“These prohibited insiders can be a coach, manager, handler, athletic trainer, medical professional staff, relative living in the same household as an athlete and/or any person with access to non-public information regarding participants in any match,” the video says, as per the ESPN report.
Many of the fighters had no clue they violated regulations and often state laws.
In the end any form of betting on UFC fights, even through third parties, could result in termination.
