in-20251008-IR-068250469INA: BARE-KNUCKLE FIGHTING; MARTIAL ARTS; SPARRING; PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

TITLE 68 INDIANA GAMING COMMISSION Notice of Public Comment Period for Interim Rule LSA Document #25-469 BARE-KNUCKLE FIGHTING; MARTIAL ARTS; SPARRING; PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING PURPOSE OF NOTICE The Indiana Gaming Commission (commission) is soliciting public comment on rules to be temporarily added regarding combat sports in Indiana, including bare-knuckle fighting, martial arts, sparring, and professional wrestling. The commission seeks comment on the affected citations listed and any other provisions of Title 68 that may be affected by this rulemaking. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS Governor's Approval: 20251008-IR-068250469GAA Regulatory Analysis: 20251008-IR-068250469RAA CITATIONS AFFECTED: 68 IAC 24 AUTHORITY: IC 4-33-22-12; IC 4-33-22-18 OVERVIEW Basic Purpose and Background On April 30, 2025, House Enrolled Act 1073 (HEA 1073) was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun. Under this legislation, the commission was required to adopt administrative rules to regulate the conduct of bare-knuckle fighting, martial arts, sparring, and professional wrestling. Participants in, and those affiliated with, the listed combative sports in Indiana will be affected by the rulemaking. Statement Justifying Requirement or Cost The costs imposed on newly regulated entities are minimal and equivalent to current costs for entities in boxing and mixed martial arts. The benefits of having a regulated industry are not quantifiable but greatly exceed the costs and are necessary to fulfill the requirements of HEA 1073. REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT The commission is soliciting public comment on the proposed interim rule. Comments may be submitted in one of the following ways: COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE All comments must be postmarked or time stamped not later than November 7, 2025. The rule, Regulatory Analysis, appendices referenced in the Regulatory Analysis and Statement Justifying Requirement or Cost, and materials incorporated by reference (if applicable) are on file at the Indiana Gaming Commission, 101 West Washington Street, Suite 1600-East Tower, Indianapolis, Indiana and are available for public inspection. Copies of the rule, Regulatory Analysis, and appendices referenced in the Regulatory Analysis and Statement Justifying Requirement or Cost are available at the Indiana Gaming Commission office. PROPOSED INTERIM RULE 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 combative sports participant 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. Sec. 6. An individual who is licensed by the commission shall not have a business relationship related to professional boxing and mixed martial arts combative sports regulated under this article with any person whose license has been suspended, denied, or revoked by the commission. Sec. 0.5. For purposes of this article, “boxing” includes bare-knuckle fighting. 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 in which only professional martial artists participate, not including in a martial arts tournament as defined in subsection (c). (f) "Professional martial arts event" means an event where a series of professional martial arts bouts occur 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: (1) Atomweight up to 105 pounds (2) Strawweight over 105 pounds to 115 pounds (3) Flyweight over 115 pounds to 125 pounds (4) Bantamweight over 125 pounds to 135 pounds (5) Featherweight over 135 pounds to 145 pounds (6) Lightweight over 145 pounds to 155 pounds (7) Super lightweight over 155 pounds to 165 pounds (8) Welterweight over 165 pounds to 170 pounds (9) Super welterweight  over 170 pounds to 175 pounds (10) Middleweight over 175 pounds to 185 pounds (11) Super middleweight over 185 pounds to 195 pounds (12) Light heavyweight over 195 pounds to 205 pounds (13) Cruiserweight over 205 pounds to 225 pounds (14) Heavyweight over 225 pounds to 265 pounds (15) Super heavyweight 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 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 of 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 an inspector.  Sec. 6. (a) When hand wraps or taping is necessary, before participating in a bout, a professional martial artist shall have all hand wraps and taping approved by a commission representative or an 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 an 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 an 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 an 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 an inspector. Sec. 8. The requirements of 68 IAC 24-5-7 apply to any individual who wishes to participate as a corner man for a professional martial artist at an event. Sec. 9. The referee requirements of 68 IAC 24-5-8 apply for all professional martial arts events. Sec. 10. The timekeeper requirements of 68 IAC 24-5-9 apply for all professional martial arts events. Sec. 11. (a) In bouts where the Unified Rules are not applicable, the fouls described in 68 IAC 24-5-10 and foul procedures described in 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 under 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) There shall be scoring of an incomplete round. (i) If the referee penalizes either professional martial artist, the appropriate points shall 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 of 68 IAC 24-5-16 apply to all professional martial artists wishing to participate in a bout. Sec. 16. (a) Martial arts tournaments are subject to the oversight of the commission in the form of monitoring and the inquiry into, or investigation of, complaints or violations of laws governing martial arts in Indiana. (b) To be considered a tournament, all or most of the following criteria must be met as determined by the commission: Sec. 17. Noncontact martial arts are not subject to the jurisdiction of the commission or this rule including, but not limited to, 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 in which only: (d) “Amateur martial arts event" means an event where a series of amateur martial arts bouts occur. (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 listed in subsection (a) are subject to the same requirements as the licenses under 68 IAC 24-6-2 as they pertain to martial arts. Sec. 3. (a) A company that seeks to act as a promoter for an event shall first obtain a license as a promoter 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 martial arts. Sec. 4. (a) A company that seeks to act as a sanctioning body for an event shall first obtain a license as a sanctioning body under IC 4-33-22-18 and this rule. (b) The application requirements and prohibitions under 68 IAC 24-6-4 apply to licenses under this rule. (c) An applicant for a license under this rule is also subject to the requirements of 68 IAC 24-6-5 and 68 IAC 24-6-6 as they relate to martial arts. Sec. 5. (a) A promoter who wishes to promote an event shall provide to the executive director or the 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 the 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 where a sanctioning body is responsible for providing onsite regulation, the sanctioning body shall file with the executive director or the 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 of 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 does not include inter-gym exhibitions between members of the same gym at that gym. (c) “Sparring event” means an event where sparring occurs. Sec. 2. Sparring is conducted in accordance with the rules regarding the respective discipline being used. 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 professional 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 occur. Sec. 2. (a) Applications for professional wrestling promoter and professional wrestling sanctioning body licensure and renewal are subject to the respective fees listed under 68 IAC 24-6-2(a). (b) The licenses listed in subsection (a) are subject to the same requirements as the licenses under 68 IAC 24-6-2 as they pertain to professional wrestling. Sec. 3. (a) A company that seeks to act as a promoter for an event shall first obtain a license as a promoter 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. 4. (a) A company that seeks to act as a sanctioning body for an event shall first obtain a license as a sanctioning body under IC 4-33-22-18 and this rule. (b) The application requirements and prohibitions under 68 IAC 24-6-4 apply to licenses under this rule. (c) An applicant for a license under this rule is also subject to the requirements of 68 IAC 24-6-5 and 68 IAC 24-6-6 as they relate to professional wrestling. Sec. 5. (a) A promoter that wishes to promote an event shall provide to the executive director or the 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, if applicable. (c) A sanctioning body shall submit the: to the executive director or the 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, if applicable. (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 the executive director's designee a completed event report form within five (5) business days after the event ends. Sec. 6. The requirements under 68 IAC 24-5-7 apply to any individual who wishes to participate as a corner man for a professional wrestler at an event. Sec. 7. The referee requirements under 68 IAC 24-5-8 apply for all professional wrestling events. Sec. 8. The timekeeper requirements under 68 IAC 24-5-9 apply for all professional wrestling events. Sec. 9. (a) A professional wrestler is not permitted to participate in a professional wrestling bout without meeting the requirements of 68 IAC 24-6-8(a). (b) It is the responsibility of the sanctioning body of an event to ensure that no professional wrestler participates in a professional wrestling bout without the information required in subsection (a). (c) 68 IAC 24-6-9, regarding event physicians, applies to professional wrestling events conducted under this rule. (d) 68 IAC 24-6-10, regarding pre-bout physical examinations, applies to professional wrestling events conducted under this rule. (e) 68 IAC 24-6-11, regarding medical personnel, applies to professional wrestling events conducted under this rule. (f) The requirements of 68 IAC 24-6-12 regarding insurance apply to professional wrestling events conducted under this rule. (g) 68 IAC 24-6-14, regarding testing for prohibited drugs, applies to bouts conducted under this rule.  Sec. 10. 68 IAC 24-6-13, regarding onsite oversight, applies to professional wrestling events conducted under this rule.  Sec. 11. The rest period requirements under 68 IAC 24-5-16 apply to all professional wrestlers wishing to participate in a bout.