Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis reinstated betting on the UFC on Friday, a week after ordering the province's sportsbook to cease offering wagering on the promotion while an investigation into coach James Krause was conducted.
"With the recent announcement by the UFC that Krause, his managers and fighters will not be permitted to participate in UFC events, pending Nevada State Athletic Commission's investigation, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has reinstated UFC betting markets on PlayAlberta.ca," an AGLC spokesperson said in a statement. "Protecting consumers in Alberta is of the utmost importance to AGLC. We will remain vigilant in monitoring the situation and ensure players continue to have safe and secure gaming opportunities on Play Alberta."
On Dec. 2, the UFC announced that Krause's license has been suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission and that fighters who remain involved with Krause would be temporarily banned from participating in UFC events.
The investigations into Krause were triggered by suspicious betting on a Nov. 5 UFC fight involving his fighter Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. Minner lost by first-round TKO. Multiple sportsbooks reported unusual betting interest on Nuerdanbieke to win, to win by first-round knockout and for the fight to last under 2.5 rounds.
Krause and Minner face potential additional disciplinary action at a Nevada Athletic Commission meeting Dec. 14. Minner was released from the UFC roster Dec. 2.
Alberta stopped betting on UFC on Dec. 2, one day after Ontario regulators ordered its licensed operators to cease offering betting on the UFC.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement on Nov. 19 instructed its licensed sportsbooks to stop offering betting on any events in which Krause is involved.
