in-20260902-IR-068260101FRA: BARE-KNUCKLE FIGHTING; MARTIAL ARTS; SPARRING; PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

TITLE 68 INDIANA GAMING COMMISSION Final Rule LSA Document # 26-101 DIGEST BARE-KNUCKLE FIGHTING; MARTIAL ARTS; SPARRING; PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING Adds and amends 68 IAC 24 concerning combat sports in Indiana including bare-knuckle fighting, martial arts, sparring, and professional wrestling. Effective 30 days after filing with the publisher. HISTORY Notice of First Public Comment Period: 20260422-IR-068260101FNA Regulatory Analysis submitted with Notice of First Public Comment Period: 20260422-IR-068260101RAA Date of Public Hearing: May 26, 2026 60 Day Requirement: 20260603-IR-068260101ARA CITATIONS AFFECTED: 68 IAC 24 SUMMARY/RESPONSE TO COMMENTS The Indiana Gaming Commission (commission) requested public comment from April 22, 2026, through May 22, 2026, and during the public hearing on May 26, 2026. The commission received no comments in response to the Notice of First Public Comment Period. FINAL RULE 68 IAC 24-1-8 "Bout" defined Sec. 8. "Bout" means a series of rounds in which either boxing, martial arts, or mixed martial arts is conducted. 68 IAC 24-1-15 "Event" defined Sec. 15. "Event" means a: 68 IAC 24-2-5 Denial and disciplinary action Sec. 5. (a) The commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee may take action, including but not limited to, revocation, suspension, denial, disciplinary action, or restriction of a license, if the commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee determines the licensee is in violation of IC 4-33-22, an order of the commission, or this article. (b) If the commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee determines that a licensee is in violation of IC 4-33-22 or this article, the commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee may initiate a disciplinary proceeding to revoke, restrict, or take another disciplinary action with respect to concerning the license under IC 4-21.5. (c) The commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee may deny a license for a professional boxer or a professional mixed martial artist unarmed competitor if the commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee determines the applicant does not have sufficient skills to fight in a professional boxing or professional mixed martial arts bout conducted under this article. (d) The commission, the executive director, or the executive director's designee may deny, revoke, or suspend a license if directed to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction in the state of Indiana. 68 IAC 24-2-6 Restriction on licensee-business relationship Sec. 6. An individual who is licensed by the commission shall not have a business relationship related to professional boxing and mixed martial arts unarmed combat regulated under this article with any person whose license has been suspended, denied, or revoked by the commission. 68 IAC 24-3-0.5 Bare-knuckle fighting Sec. 0.5. For purposes of this article, the term "boxing" includes bare-knuckle fighting. 68 IAC 24-6-13 On-site oversight Sec. 13. (a) Unless the event also includes professional bouts, there must be present at an event at least two (2) representatives from the sanctioning body to provide for the on-site regulation of the event. (b) The sanctioning body may send as many representatives as it determines is necessary. (c) The sanctioning body responsible for providing oversight of an event must: (d) The executive director or the executive director's designee may appoint a commission representative to be present at an event for purposes of ensuring compliance with IC 4-33-22 and this article. (e) Commission representatives must be admitted free of charge, upon on presentation of credentials, to an event. (f) Fighting area apron seats must be provided to commission representatives who have been appointed to observe the event. (g) Failure of the sanctioning body or promoter to comply with the provisions of IC 4-33-22-18 and this article may result in the following: Sec. 1. (a) The definitions in this rule apply only to professional martial arts conducted under IC 4-33-22. (b) "Martial arts" means any of the following for purposes of this rule: (c) "Martial arts tournament" means a tournament meant primarily to encourage and advance the hobby, sport, or friendly competition of those who study specific disciplines or participate in martial arts training. (d) "Professional martial artist" means a person who: (e) "Professional martial arts bout" means a martial arts bout where only professional martial artists participate, not including in a martial arts tournament as defined by subsection (c). (f) "Professional martial arts event" means an event where a series of professional martial arts bouts occurs to exhibit, promote, or showcase the sport for a broad audience, commonly for profit. Sec. 2. (a) If the Unified Rules do not apply, professional martial artists shall compete against each other based on the following weight categories: Up to 105 pounds Over 105 pounds to 115 pounds Over 115 pounds to 125 pounds Over 125 pounds to 135 pounds Over 135 pounds to 145 pounds Over 145 pounds to 155 pounds Over 155 pounds to 165 pounds Over 165 pounds to 170 pounds Over 170 pounds to 175 pounds Over 175 pounds to 185 pounds Over 185 pounds to 195 pounds Over 195 pounds to 205 pounds Over 205 pounds to 225 pounds Over 225 pounds to 265 pounds Over 265 pounds (b) A bout may take place between professional martial artists in different weight categories if the difference in weight between the professional martial artists does not exceed the allowance shown in the following schedule: (1) Up to 135 pounds Not more than 3 pounds (2) Over 135 pounds to 170 pounds Not more than 5 pounds (3) Over 170 pounds to 265 pounds Not more than 7 pounds (4) Over 265 pounds No limit (c) Except as provided in subsection (b), a bout may be held where professional martial artists in different weight categories have a weight differential exceeding the maximum amount if: Sec. 3. (a) This section applies only in bouts where the Unified Rules are not applicable. (b) A jujutsu bout may not be more than three (3) rounds, of ten (10) minutes in duration per round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. (c) A karate bout may not be more than five (5) rounds, of three (3) minutes in duration per round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. (d) A kickboxing bout may not be more than ten (10) rounds, of five (5) minutes in duration per round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. (e) A kung fu bout may not be more than five (5) rounds, of four (4) minutes in duration per round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. (f) A tae kwon do bout may not be more than four (4) rounds, of two (2) minutes in duration per round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. (g) A judo bout may not be more than a single five (5) minute round and an untimed "golden score" overtime round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. (h) A sambo bout may not be more than nine (9) rounds, of five (5) minutes in duration per round, with at least a ten (10) minute rest period between each round. (i) A pankration bout may not be more than five (5) rounds, of four (4) minutes in duration per round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. (j) A shootwrestling bout may not be more than two (2) rounds, of four (4) minutes in duration per round, with at least a one (1) minute rest period between each round. Sec. 4. (a) Bouts must be held in a fighting area approved by the commission. (b) When relevant Unified Rules do not apply, a caged or ringed fighting area must meet the respective requirements at 68 IAC 24-5-3. (c) Fighting area specifications may be altered by a commission representative. Sec. 5. The equipment and clothing worn during a bout must be approved by a commission representative or inspector. Sec. 6. (a) When hand wraps or taping is necessary, before participating in a bout, a professional martial artist must have all hand wraps and taping approved by a commission representative or inspector. (b) Soft gauze cloth and tape must be placed on the professional martial artist's hands in the dressing room area. (c) A completed hand wrap must be approved by a commission representative or inspector by signing the hand wrap using a permanent marker. (d) No adjustments are allowed to be made to a hand wrap once it has been signed by a commission representative or inspector. (e) The manager or chief corner man of a professional martial artist's opponent may be present to witness the hand wrapping of the professional martial artist. Sec. 7. (a) When gloves are required for participating in a bout, a professional martial artist shall wear martial arts gloves that are in good condition at the time of the bout or the gloves must be replaced. (b) If gloves are worn, both professional martial artists participating in a bout shall wear martial arts gloves of equal weight. (c) Martial arts gloves: (d) Red or blue tape must be taped onto the professional martial artist's gloves, with the tape color being coordinated with the professional martial artist's corner assignment. (e) A commission representative or inspector shall approve the martial arts gloves by signing the red or blue tape using a permanent marker. (f) No adjustments are allowed to be made to the martial arts gloves once they have been signed by a commission representative or inspector. Sec. 8. The requirements at 68 IAC 24-5-7 apply to any individual who seeks to participate as a corner man for a professional martial artist at an event. A license issued under 68 IAC 24-5-7 qualifies as a valid license for this section. Sec. 9. The referee requirements at 68 IAC 24-5-8 apply for all professional martial arts events. A referee's license issued under 68 IAC 24-5 qualifies as a valid license for this section. Sec. 10. The timekeeper requirements at 68 IAC 24-5-9 apply for all professional martial arts events. A timekeeper's license issued under 68 IAC 24-5 qualifies as a valid license for this section. Sec. 11. (a) In bouts where the Unified Rules are not applicable, the fouls described in 68 IAC 24-5-10 and foul procedures under 68 IAC 24-5-11 apply. (b) In bouts where the Unified Rules are not applicable, the procedures for a dislodged mouthpiece under 68 IAC 24-5-12 apply. Sec. 12. In bouts where the Unified Rules are not applicable, the legal fighting techniques described in 68 IAC 24-5-13 apply. Sec. 13. (a) This section applies only in bouts where the Unified Rules are not applicable. (b) Bouts will be evaluated and scored by three (3) judges in accordance with the ten (10) point scoring system, or another scoring system approved by the commission, before the bout. (c) For karate, a judge shall evaluate techniques in the following order of importance: (d) For kickboxing, a judge shall evaluate techniques in the following order of importance: (e) For shootwrestling, a judge shall evaluate techniques in the following order of importance: (f) When scoring a round on the ten (10) point scale, a judge shall use the objective scoring criteria under 68 IAC 24-5-14(h). (g) A round scored 10-10 should be very rare. (h) An incomplete round must be scored. (i) If the referee penalizes either professional martial artist, the appropriate points will be deducted when the chief commission representative calculates the final score for the round. Sec. 14. In bouts where the Unified Rules are not applicable, the bout results described in 68 IAC 24-5-15 apply. Sec. 15. The rest period requirements in 68 IAC 24-5-16 apply to all professional martial artists seeking to participate in a bout. Sec. 16. (a) Martial arts tournaments are subject to the oversight of the commission through monitoring and the inquiry into, or investigation of, complaints or violations of laws governing martial arts in Indiana. (b) To be considered a tournament, an event must meet all or most of the following criteria, as determined by the commission: Sec. 17. Noncontact martial arts are not subject to the jurisdiction of the commission or this rule, including the following: Sec. 1. (a) The definitions in this rule apply only to amateur martial arts conducted under IC 4-33-22. (b) "Amateur martial artist" means an individual participating in martial arts under IC 4-33-22 who: (c) "Amateur martial arts bout" means a bout where only: (d) "Amateur martial arts event" means an event where a series of amateur martial arts bouts occurs. (e) "Martial arts" means any of the following for purposes of this rule: Sec. 2. (a) Applications for martial arts promoter and amateur martial arts sanctioning body licensure and renewal are subject to the respective fees listed under 68 IAC 24-6-2(a). (b) The licenses in subsection (a) are subject to the same requirements as the licenses under 68 IAC 24-6-2 as they relate to martial arts. Sec. 3. (a) A company that seeks to act as a promoter for an event must first obtain a license as a promoter under IC 4-33-22-18 and this rule. (b) A mixed martial arts promoter's license issued under 68 IAC 24-6 qualifies as a valid license for this section. (c) The application requirements and prohibitions at 68 IAC 24-6-3 apply to licenses under this rule as they relate to martial arts. Sec. 4. (a) A company that seeks to act as a sanctioning body for an event must first obtain a license as a sanctioning body under IC 4-33-22-18 and this rule. (b) A mixed martial arts sanctioning body license issued under 68 IAC 24-6 qualifies as a valid license for this section. (c) The application requirements and prohibitions at 68 IAC 24-6-4 apply to licenses under this rule. (d) An applicant for a license under this rule is also subject to the requirements at 68 IAC 24-6-5 and 68 IAC 24-6-6 as they relate to martial arts. Sec. 5. (a) A promoter seeking to promote an event shall provide to the executive director or executive director's designee the following information not less than forty-five (45) days before the proposed event: (b) A promoter shall register an event with the website registry certified or operated by the Association of Boxing Commissions before the start of the event. (c) A sanctioning body shall submit the: to the executive director or executive director's designee one (1) business day after the event for entry into the website registry certified or operated by the Association of Boxing Commissions. (d) For an event at which a sanctioning body is responsible for providing onsite regulation, the sanctioning body shall file with the executive director or executive director's designee a completed event report form within five (5) business days after the event ends. Sec. 6. (a) An amateur martial artist is not permitted to participate in an amateur martial arts bout without meeting the requirements at 68 IAC 24-6-8(a). (b) It is the responsibility of the sanctioning body of an event to ensure that no amateur martial artist participates in an amateur martial arts bout without the information required in subsection (a). (c) 68 IAC 24-6-9, regarding event physicians, applies to martial arts events conducted under this rule. (d) 68 IAC 24-6-10, regarding pre-bout physical examinations, applies to martial arts events conducted under this rule. (e) 68 IAC 24-6-11, regarding medical personnel, applies to martial arts events conducted under this rule. (f) The requirements of 68 IAC 24-6-12 regarding insurance apply to martial arts events conducted under this rule. (g) 68 IAC 24-6-14, regarding testing for prohibited drugs, applies to bouts conducted under this rule. Sec. 7. 68 IAC 24-6-13, regarding on-site oversight, applies to amateur martial arts events conducted under this rule. Sec. 1. (a) The definitions in this rule apply only to sparring conducted under IC 4-33-22. (b) "Sparring" has the meaning set forth in IC 4-33-22-5. The term includes variations of mixed martial arts, martial arts, or boxing approved by the executive director that fall outside the Unified Rules or, for some other reason, does not have specified rules under 68 IAC 24 or IC 4-33. The term does not include intergym exhibitions between members of the same gym at that gym or Muay Thai. (c) "Sparring event" means an event where sparring occurs. Sec. 2. Sparring must be conducted in accordance with the rules regarding the respective discipline being used or with executive director approval of any variations, which may be obtained by submitting an event permit. Sec. 3. (a) A promoter seeking to promote a sparring event must first obtain an event permit under IC 4-33-22 and this article. (b) The requirements at 68 IAC 24-3-1 apply for obtaining an event permit for a sparring event. Sec. 4. (a) Applications for sparring promoter licensure and renewal are subject to the respective fees listed under 68 IAC 24-6-2(a). (b) The license in subsection (a) is subject to the same requirements as the licenses under 68 IAC 24-6-2 as they relate to sparring. Sec. 5. (a) A company seeking to act as a promoter for an event must first obtain a license as a promoter under IC 4-33-22-18 and this rule. (b) The application requirements and prohibitions at 68 IAC 24-6-3 apply to licenses under this rule as they relate to sparring. Sec. 6. A promoter seeking to promote an event shall provide to the executive director or executive director's designee the following information not less than forty-five (45) days before the proposed event: Sec. 1. (a) The definitions in this rule apply only to professional wrestling conducted under IC 4-33-22-13. (b) "Professional wrestler" means a person who: (c) "Professional wrestling" means an exhibition where unarmed participants display their skills in a physical struggle against each other in Greco-Roman, folkstyle, or freestyle wrestling and compete in a bona fide athletic contest or competition. The term does not include an exhibition that is primarily for entertainment and has a predetermined winner, or otherwise does not comprise a bona fide athletic contest or competition. The term also does not include events sponsored by schools, including high schools and colleges. (d) "Professional wrestling bout" means a wrestling bout where only professional wrestlers participate in a bona fide athletic contest of professional wrestling. (e) "Professional wrestling event" means an event where only a series of professional wrestling bouts occurs. Sec. 2. (a) A promoter seeking to promote a professional wrestling event must first obtain an event permit under IC 4-33-22 and this article. (b) The requirements at 68 IAC 24-3-1 apply for obtaining an event permit for a professional wrestling event. Sec. 3. (a) Applications for professional wrestling promoter licensure and renewal are subject to the respective fees listed under 68 IAC 24-6-2(a). (b) The license in subsection (a) is subject to the same requirements as the licenses under 68 IAC 24-6-2 as they pertain to professional wrestling. Sec. 4. (a) A company that seeks to act as a promoter for an event must first obtain a promoter's license under IC 4-33-22-18 and this rule. (b) The application requirements and prohibitions under 68 IAC 24-6-3 apply to licenses under this rule as they relate to professional wrestling. Sec. 5. A promoter seeking to promote an event shall provide to the executive director or executive director's designee the following information not less than forty-five (45) days before the proposed event: LSA Document #26-101 Notice of First Public Comment Period: April 22, 2026 Last Hearing Held: May 26, 2026 Approved by Attorney General: July 20, 2026 Approved by Governor: August 3, 2026 Filed with Publisher: August 5, 2026, 2:01 p.m. Documents Incorporated by Reference: None Received by Publisher