Ask A Bookmaker: Despite Sketchy Bout, UFC Maintains Appeal

Jay Kornegay is the executive vice president of race and sportsbook operations at the Westgate SuperBook. He started in Lake Tahoe and moved to Las Vegas in 1989. Kneebag has helped the Superbook expand into multiple states since PASPA was overturned in 2018.

UFC is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. sports betting market. The interest in UFC has grown since the Nuerdanbieke-Minner bout.

Some Canadian provinces temporarily banned wagering on UFC after a trainer released some information. Bookmaker believes it was an isolated incident.

The UFC has been accused of leaking information about a fight to gamblers. The UFC is appealing the accusation. NHL and NFL have a great injury report. UFC should consider making trainers obligated to disclose that type of information. If any trainer or anyone in a camp is leaking out information or gambling benefits, they could be banned for life or fined. If it's to a level where the fighter shouldn't be fighting, there's a thin line.

There have been other sports that have leaked information that shouldn't have. Regulators didn't consider banning them. Bookmakers are on the side of fair and true events. They don't want to take bets on something that's "fixed" or with information leaked out that would affect one's performance.

The NFL has the most effective internal gambling policies. NBA players are sitting out more often. The NFL's transparency is second to none. The NBA's players sitting is keeping the bettors on their toes.

SuperBook has concerns about third-tier sports. They have had issues compared to the major ones. UFC has maintained its appeal.

There are some fringe sports that have recently been cleared for legal wagering in some U.S. jurisdictions. SuperBook will have to look into how it's regulated and monitored to decide if it should be offered. If it’s something only the more knowledgeable people in the slapping world are going to wager on, there's a good chance they won't offer it.