As commented on earlier this week by the Gambling Commission (“GC”) in its blog post, today sees the introduction of the requirement for online gambling operators to introduce what it describes as “light-touch” financial vulnerability checks and also the introduction of a pilot scheme on additional financial risk assessments for the largest online gambling operators. … Continue Reading
Last month, both the English football industry and British horseracing industry published codes of conduct which address sponsorship arrangements between stakeholders in each of those sports and betting companies. These codes of conduct have been prepared following the 2020 Gambling Act 2005 Review, and the subsequent release of the White Paper ‘High Stakes: Gambling Reform … Continue Reading
Having recently examined some of the legal issues that have overshadowed the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, in this article I will consider what could keep contentious/regulatory lawyers (and journalists) busy once the Games formally begin on 26 July 2024. With ten days still to go before the Opening Ceremony, it is … Continue Reading
Introduction and Background In its statement published at the end of last year regarding the disciplinary action taken against Alexey Shyshko, the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) pronounced that Shyshko’s actions had “tarnished the reputation of esports as a whole” and “threatened the very foundation of fair competition in esports”.[1] ESIC’s public statement accompanied a lifetime … Continue Reading
The Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”) has issued its first ruling under the new rules that prohibit gambling ads with “strong appeal” to under-18s, providing a useful example as to how the new rules will be applied. Updated Gambling Ad Rules As covered in more detail in a previous article for this blog, on 1 October … Continue Reading
As reported in our previous article published in 2019, the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) have been focussing for some time on protecting children and young persons through their regulation of gambling advertising. Under the current rules, gambling ads are prohibited only if they appeal ‘particularly’ to under-18s, which CAP considers means if an ad … Continue Reading
In part 1 of ‘whose data is it anyway’, we considered the position of Football DataCo and Betgenius, with particular reference to the experience of a Hull City fan who was questioned in relation to “unauthorised data gathering” during a match against Reading. In this, the final part of our two-part series, Sport Shorts considers … Continue Reading
In the first of a two-part series, Sports Shorts looks at the ownership of data collected at football matches. With the new football season still in its infancy, fans of many clubs remain full of the optimism that comes with the sensation that anything is possible in the months to come. When Daniel Mawer arrived … Continue Reading
Gambling and football – two words that go hand-in-hand for a lot of football fans. For many punters, having a flutter on a match-day is an essential part of their footballing experience. Betting companies looking to attract customers spend significant sums on advertising, but it can be difficult to get things right, especially when it … Continue Reading
Italy’s Council of Ministers has approved a blanket ban on gambling advertising in the country, which will take effect on 1 January 2019. The Council of Ministers has the power to pass decrees with legal force in cases where Parliament has expressly delegated legislative authority to the Council. In recent years, there has been a … Continue Reading
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has handed out 20 and 15 year suspensions to two leading players after finding them guilty of match fixing. Badminton has been hit by a few scandals before, with one of the most well-known names in the sport, Lee Chong Wei, banned for eight months for doping in 2014. Yet … Continue Reading
On 6 October 2016, Sport Shorts covered the charge levelled by the Scottish Football Association (the “SFA”) against Joey Barton (then of Glasgow Rangers) in respect of 44 bets he was alleged to have placed on football matches between 1 July and 15 September 2016. Barton later admitted the charges against him. Barton’s gambling-related troubles … Continue Reading
With Monday night’s fifth round FA Cup tie between Sutton United v Arsenal entering the 83rd minute, and with the non-league side trailing their Premier League opposition by two goals to nil following a spirited performance by the underdogs, a curious incident took place. Much to the mirth and delight of TV commentators and social … Continue Reading
For many (including Sports Shorts) today marks the return to work after the Christmas break. A time to review goals, dust off gym memberships or perhaps start a new job. Into this latter category falls Joey Barton who it has been announced will re-join Burnley FC after a short sojourn in Glasgow with Rangers FC. … Continue Reading
The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in a claim brought by Phil Ivey, “the world’s best poker player” in relation to the recovery of £7.7 million worth of winnings from the Crockfords Club casino in London (“Crockfords”). Background Mr Ivey is well known professional gambler who has won 10 World Series of Poker … Continue Reading
I like a flutter; and it seems others do too. Online gambling is an industry worth over £4 billion per year in the UK, with approximately 5.5 million Brits regularly using online gambling websites. This figure has apparently grown by 146% since 2009; it’s big business. And it’s only likely to get bigger, particularly in … Continue Reading
It was reported yesterday that Rangers football player Joey Barton has been charged by the Scottish Football Association (the “SFA”) for placing 44 bets on football matches. It has been alleged that Barton placed the bets between 1 July and 15 September 2016. He has been given until 12 October 2016 to respond to the … Continue Reading
On 9 August 2016, a New Jersey Federal Appeals Court ruled that the state of New Jersey was not permitted to enforce a 2014 law that allowed sports betting. Following the ruling, sports betting is once again prohibited in the Garden State. The ruling of the Federal Appeals Court follows years of legal wrangles regarding … Continue Reading
