UKGC investigates betting deal
The gambling commission from the UK is looking into a betting deal in which the FA sold media rights and seven betting sites ended up live-streaming games.
UK.- The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is investigating a deal that allowed betting sites to stream FA Cup matches. The deal was agreed in January 2017 but took effect from the start of the 2018-19 season.
The Football Association signed a deal with the sports media rights company IMG. The latter then allowed the third party to sell live streams to betting companies, domestically and globally. The streams were only accessible to customers with active accounts with the betting companies.
While the deal was criticised at the time, the betting companies allowed the games to be showcased on a free platform.
A spokesperson for the UKGC said that they are investigating the deal as the priority and focus are on making sure that gambling is as safe as possible for consumers. “We expect gambling operators to ensure that when agreeing commercial deals relevant to sport, that such arrangements are consistent with keeping gambling safe. We are talking to a number of operators to ensure that is the case.”
UKGC CEO Neil McArthur said to BBC Radio 5 Live: “Our investigations into that matter are ongoing. I understand why there are concerns, and to be clear we already require gambling operators to market, advertise or engage in sponsorship in a socially responsible way. We are in touch with all operators in the deal to find out what they did to satisfy themselves.”
UK bans credit card gambling
From April 14, 2020, consumers won’t be able to use their credit cards to gamble. This ban follows a public consultation that the commission carried out between August and November 2019. It also follows an internal review of online gambling and the Government’s Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility Measures.
The ban applies to all online and offline gambling products, with the exception of non-remote lotteries. The UKGC says that it provides a significant layer of additional protection to vulnerable players.
