Individuals that arrange, produce, advertise, or stage combative sports events such as boxing, wrestling, martial arts, etc. must be registered as a promoter with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). To be approved for and to maintain a promoter license, you will need to obtain a $15,000 Combative Sports Promoter Bond and a $15,000 Combative Sports Gross Receipts Tax Bond.
Jet Insurance Company provides both the Combative Sports Promoter Bond and the Combative Sports Tax Bond as a financial assurance to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation that the promoter will follow the regulations of their license and fulfill all gross receipts tax obligations. If the promoter commits a violation, either applicable surety bond may be used for restitution by the damaged party.
Jet’s prices for both the Combative Sports Promoter Bond and the Combative Sports Tax Bond are a small fraction of the $15,000 required limit and are based on a soft credit check of the promoter. As seen in the chart below, applicants that meet our preferred credit tier can pay as little as $150 annually or $15 a month for their bond.
Bond Term | Cost |
---|---|
Monthly | $15 |
1 Year | $150 |
2 Years | $263 |
Our monthly payment plan is exclusive to Jet and is a great option if you are looking to maintain your license as a promoter for the foreseeable future. Your bonds will remain active with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as long as payments are fulfilled each month.
Individuals who conduct or host a combative sports event in which participants voluntarily engage in full contact to score points must be licensed as a promoter with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Eligible applicants will have obtained both the $15,000 Combative Sports Bond and the $15,000 Combative Sports Tax Bond. Each bond essentially protects the Texas public and the Department of Licensing and Regulation from financial harm in cases where the promoter commits a license or tax violation.
It is important to note that if the contestants are amateurs, the licensing and bond requirements do not apply to the promoter. For example, if the combative sports event is being conducted by a school, law enforcement agency, or Olympic game organization.
Jet’s application for the Combative Sports Promoter Bond and the Combative Sports Tax Bond is fast, easy, and fully online. The application will begin by asking for some general information such as your contact details and social security number, which will be used for a soft credit check to get you an approved rate. Once submitted, a Jet underwriter will conduct a quick review and then send you over some approved rate options. All you have to do is choose the best price plan for you and complete the payment. The Jet team will then send you a copy of your receipt and bond form instantly.
Jet can file your bond for you at no extra cost! You are also welcome to take care of filing yourself; the option to do so may be selected at checkout.
Both the Combative Sports Promoter Bond and the Combative Sports Tax Bond, along with your initial or renewal license application, must be submitted to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation at the following mailing address:
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
Compliance Divison- Combative Sports Program
PO Box 12157
Austin, TX 78711
You may find initial and renewal license applications, as well as any other required documents, on the TDLR Combative Sports Forms webpage.
You can cancel either one of the Combative Sports Bonds at any time with Jet! All we ask is that you send a written cancellation request to us at [email protected]. Once received, we will send a 30-day termination notice to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The liability of your bond will then be released once the mandatory grace period has ended.
If you have enrolled in the monthly plan, you will be required to make one last payment for the 30 days as your bond is technically still active during this time. All future payments will cease once this last step has been taken care of and your bond will officially be cancelled.
If you are enrolled in our monthly program, you won’t have to worry about renewing your Combative Sports Bonds. As long as monthly payments are made, your bond will remain active with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
As for promoters who choose to pay in full and upfront for both or either one of the bonds, the Jet team will send you a renewal invoice by mail and email prior to your official bond term expiration date. Simply fulfill the standard payment due and your bond(s) will remain active with the TDLR for another term.
Promoters must follow all hosting and tax regulations regarding a combative sports event; such rules can be found in Title 13, Chapter 2052 of the Texas Occupation Code. Failure to comply may result in a suspended or permanently revoked license, various fines, criminal penalties, and/or a bond claim brought on by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Any damaged person of the public may also take civil action against the promoter which can lead to a bond claim.
An official claim on the Combative Sports Promoter Bond could be filed for a number of reasons. The purpose of the surety bond is to protect the public, such as a person participating in the combative sports event, from any financial harm that may occur due to the promoter committing a license violation. For example, the promoter failing to provide an ambulance that is serviced by at least two physicians at the combative sports event is a serious license violation that could result in physical and financial harm to a participant of the event.
If any person involved in the event feels that the promoter has committed a transgression and is seeking restitution, civil action will need to be taken. In cases where a Texas judge rules in favor of the claimant, the Combative Sports Bond will be used to cover any financial losses incurred by the damaged party.
Unlike the previous bond, a claim on the Combative Sports Tax Bond will only occur for one reason. If the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation finds that the promoter has failed to pay their gross receipts taxes that are due, the TDLR may file a claim directly on the bond to recover what is owed to them.
The best way to avoid a claim on either bond is to simply follow the regulations of your license. However, if you do commit a violation, it is in your best interest to work directly with the TDLR or damaged party to try and resolve the situation before a loss of license and pricy bond claim ensues.
If you receive a Texas court-ordered or Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation bond claim notice, contact the Jet team as soon as possible! We will begin the claim process by asking that you provide us with all available information and documentation. Jet will utilize these details for our own review and investigation of the alleged violation.
Per the Combative Sports Bond forms, Jet is legally obligated to payout justified bond claims up to the $15,000 limit. However, it is important to note that claim payments will never exceed the amount of the bond. You are responsible for your actions and will be expected to reimburse Jet for the claim payout made on behalf of your transgressions. Failure to fulfill this requirement will lead to future difficulties in obtaining a surety bond within the State of Texas.