Amidst Concerns About Integrity, IGC Pulls Russian Table Tennis Off The Board

Betting on Russian table tennis is no longer allowed for Hoosiers.

In recent months, Liga Pro in Moscow has become one of the most favored betting options.

The advent of COVID-19 compelled the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) to adopt innovative approaches. Consequently, the list of betting options has remained quite limited.

Ever since the shutdowns commenced, the IGC has been incorporating a variety of new sports and leagues to their list. To date, this has included everything from baseball in Korea to soccer in Belarus.

Table tennis has emerged as the most popular among all the new options. However, the new changes implemented by the IGC have reduced the betting options for the sport.

Indiana imposes restrictions on table tennis gambling

In the absence of traditional sports like football, basketball, or baseball, gamblers have resorted to betting on table tennis.

Despite not being a typical choice for sports betting, the sport has gained unexpected popularity in the absence of regular options.

Until now, Hoosiers had the ability to place bets on a variety of matches from various leagues.

However, the IGC has instituted some modifications that limit the alternatives. Henceforth, all table tennis markets in Indiana must source from member nations of the International Table Tennis Federation or the European Table Tennis Union.

So, what does this actually imply for gamblers?

In essence, betting on Russian table tennis has ceased due to concerns about the integrity of matches in Russian leagues.

Information on Russian table tennis is not available.

ESPN reports that the issue with Russian table tennis in states like Indiana is the league’s secretive operations.

Despite sportsbooks across the country accepting bets on Moscow’s Liga Pro, there is virtually no information available about the league.

Where are these games being held? Can we trust the results reported by the sportsbook? Who is overseeing these games? It appears that no one has a clear answer.

The governing authorities of table tennis are not involved in the games, hence it’s ambiguous as to who ensures the integrity of these international matches. Most of the nation’s events are managed by the Table Tennis Federation of Russia. Yet, they too confess ignorance about what’s going on with Liga Pro’s events.

Before the pandemic, Liga Pro consistently updated their website and social media accounts with scores and other news. However, these updates ceased in March.

Not even table tennis officials know what’s happening.

Due to COVID-19, all sports in Moscow have been temporarily suspended.

Marina Znamenskaya, a marketing manager from a partner company of Liga Pro, states that the matches are being held in China, the Czech Republic, and Belarus.

Nonetheless, there has been no method to confirm any of this. Officials and athletes from Liga Pro have declined to make any statements. Without a way to view the games or follow the league, it’s difficult to ascertain if the matches are happening at all.

Even Jonny Cowan, the marketing manager of the International Table Tennis Federation, the sport’s highest governing body, admits his unfamiliarity with Liga Pro.

Ronald Kramer, the president of the European Table Tennis Union, another significant regulator, is also uncertain about the actual occurrence of these matches.

“I’m uncertain, but it would astonish me if they are played.”

Clearly, some red flags are raised if the biggest names in table tennis are unfamiliar with Liga Pro.

The IGC conducts an investigation into Liga Pro.

States are beginning to take action due to all the uncertainty surrounding the integrity of Liga Pro’s matches.

Iowa gaming officials attempted to investigate the league’s events but were unsuccessful in reaching anyone. This could result in the league’s removal from the state once its provisional status expires on June 24.

Do you see the trend? Whether it’s a table tennis group, gambling regulator, or sportsbook, none of them have any clue about the fairness of Liga Pro’s matches, or even if they are actually taking place.

Despite the alleged continuous occurrence of matches, no one from the league is prepared to divulge the information.

Therefore, as Liga Pro appears to be operating in a lawless manner similar to the wild west, the IGC is currently scrutinizing the league’s operations. The IGC has issued a statement detailing its intentions.

We are pausing the activity as a precautionary measure. Holding these events during our review could potentially create unwanted time constraints, which is not ideal.

It is evident that the IGC intends to take its time with this.

The investigation could be prolonged due to the difficulty in obtaining information. Nonetheless, considering the questionable practices of Liga Pro, it seems unlikely that the IGC will authorize betting on the league in the near future.

Fortunately for Hoosiers, Liga Pro is being replaced with additional betting options.

The UFC, NASCAR, and golf are once again available for Indiana bettors to place their bets on. The IGC has also recently given the green light for betting on bull riding and the Premiere Lacrosse League, offering more varied options.

Indiana’s online sportsbooks continue to have plenty to offer with a mix of new and returning options, even as the table tennis situation is being resolved.