B.A.A. Sports Betting Policy
Objective: Sports betting associated with B.A.A. events can constitute a conflict of interest to the B.A.A. and can jeopardize the integrity of the B.A.A. and its events. The purpose of this B.A.A. Sports Betting Policy (the “Policy”) is to establish and define Boston Athletic Association (“B.A.A.”) policy in regard to sports betting, as sports betting continues to be legalized in states across the country, including Massachusetts.
Coverage: This policy applies to all B.A.A. employees, consultants, contractors, Athletes (defined to include the High-Performance Team, Professional Athletes, Professional Development Field Athletes, and any race participant eligible for prize money associated with a B.A.A. Event) and Athlete representatives; the B.A.A. Board of Governors; and B.A.A. sponsors; and solely with respect to any B.A.A. event for which they are involved, B.A.A. race participants (other than Athletes, as defined above) and volunteers (collectively, “Covered Persons”).
POLICY
No Betting.
Covered Persons are prohibited from wagering, directly or indirectly, on the outcome of or any aspect of any B.A.A. sporting event or race, including without limitation, the Boston Marathon, B.A.A. Invitational Mile, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon (collectively, “B.A.A. Events”). Additionally, Covered Persons are prohibited from wagering, directly or indirectly, on the outcome of or any aspect of any other sporting event or race for which such Covered Persons, through their role with the B.A.A. has obtained, or has access to, Confidential Information that would be of interest to people associated with gambling on such an event. “Confidential Information” is non-public information that includes, without limitation, information related to athlete health or discipline, information regarding race or course conditions, or any other conditions material to a sporting event or race for a gambling-related purpose.
Prohibition Against Disclosure of Confidential Information.
Covered Persons may possess Confidential Information that could influence gambling-related activity. Accordingly, Covered Persons are prohibited from disclosing Confidential Information, as described above, to any persons (including, for the avoidance of doubt, family members and friends) who do not have a legitimate business need for such information. To avoid the appearance of impropriety of such improper disclosure(s), immediate family members and household members of B.A.A. employees, consultants, and Athletes, and the B.A.A. Board of Governors are prohibited from wagering on B.A.A. Events. Other Covered Persons are asked to discourage family members and household members from wagering on B.A.A. Events.
No Fixing.
Covered Persons are prohibited from taking any action that improperly influences, or that could be perceived as improperly influencing, the results of any road race, including without limitation, any B.A.A. Event. Examples of such “fixing” include, without limitation, giving, or attempting to give, bribes or rewards, or threatening or appearing to threaten athletes in a manner to influence the results of a sporting event or race.
Involvement with Sports Betting Enterprises.
To avoid the appearance of impropriety, B.A.A. employees, consultants, and Athletes, and members of the B.A.A. Board of Governors are prohibited, absent prior written approval from the Board of Governors, from providing services to (whether as an officer, director, employee, or consultant) or having an ownership interest (of more than 1% of the company’s stock) of any enterprise that permits and operates gambling on any B.A.A. Event.
Permitted Activities.
Nothing in this Policy prohibits Covered Persons from participating in legalized gambling, including sports betting, on non-B.A.A. Events where such Covered Persons do not have access to Confidential Information through their role with the B.A.A. Additionally, with respect to B.A.A. volunteers and race participants, nothing in this Policy prohibits such individuals from wagering on B.A.A. Events for which (a) such individual is not involved as a volunteer or participant; and (b) for which such individual does not have Confidential Information.
Reporting.
In the event that any Covered Person (a) believes or suspects that a Covered Person has violated, or attempted to violate, this Policy; or (b) has been solicited to engage in conduct that violates this Policy; or (c) is aware of a Covered Person who have been solicited to violate this Policy, such information should immediately be reported to the CEO and President of the B.A.A., the Chair of the B.A.A. Board of Governors, or through the participant violations form available on the B.A.A. website. Failure to report such information will be considered a violation of this policy, as will retaliation against any Covered Persons who in good faith report information pursuant to this paragraph.
Penalties.
To facilitate responsible gaming and uphold the integrity of our sport, the B.A.A. considers any violation of this Policy (regardless of whether such conduct is legally permitted under applicable law) as a punishable act, including the possibility of termination of employment and a ban from B.A.A. Events. Sports betting and related activities are regulated by governing bodies, such as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which may provide additional prohibitions beyond those prohibited by this Policy.