Massachusetts Suspends Chinese Soccer Betting
Chinese Football has been removed as a supported betting option in Massachusetts, pending further review.
As of Thursday morning, MGC-approved operators took bets on the Chinese Super League.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has announced an indefinite suspension of betting on soccer matches governed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) amid a far-reaching match-fixing scandal.
Earlier this week, the CFA imposed lifetime bans on 43 individuals accused of match-fixing and other unethical practices. This move is the latest attempt to tackle the corruption that has long plagued the country's struggling sport.
A two-year probe exposed a web of corruption in domestic soccer leagues. The investigation revealed widespread match-fixing, online gambling, and bribery involving 128 suspects and 120 compromised matches. Furthermore, 41 clubs were also alleged to be involved in the corrupt activities.
The lifetime ban list consisted of 38 players, among them three ex-Chinese national team players and five club officials. Various other players and officials received shorter bans.
At the MGC meeting held yesterday, Thursday, Andrew Steffen, Manager of Sports Wagering Operations, revealed that his division received alerts from U.S. Integrity regarding the match-fixing incidents. The integrity monitoring firm is still probing the matter and will provide regulators with any additional information that comes to light.
Steffen stressed the pressing nature of the issue, observing that MGC-approved operators were continuing to take bets on the Chinese Super League as of Thursday morning.
In the meeting, Interim Chair Jordan Maynard and the commissioners voted unanimously to temporarily suspend betting on CFA-governed soccer. This suspension will be in place until U.S. Integrity's investigation is complete and the MGC makes a final ruling.
More Regulation News
MGC Bans IBA Boxing Betting
The MGC's temporary ban on Chinese Football follows a similar but permanent ruling on another sport in August. The regulator banned betting on boxing events sanctioned by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in the state.
While the MGC did not give specific reasons for the suspension, various reports indicated the IBA's public support of Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine and the cheating and match-fixing allegations within the IBA.
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