Gambling Commission rejects in-running ban proposal
UK regulator says ban on popular activity can be avoided as Coral labels proposal "silly"
The Gambling Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to in-running betting after the European Parliament voted through a resolution which sought to ban the activity.
Parliament yesterday adopted a report drawn up by Conservative MEP Ashley Fox which called for a ban on all forms of in-running sports betting due to its ‘venerability’ to match-fixing.
However, the UK gambling regulator told eGaming Review that although it welcomed certain aspects of the resolution, it felt the prohibition of in-running betting was an unnecessary measure.
“We have looked carefully at this and think any threat to sports betting integrity can be managed without the need to ban what is a very popular activity,” a spokesperson said.
A ban on live sports betting would have a huge impact on sportsbooks with the recent growth of such operators attributed to the rise in its popularity.
Coral is one such operator to have benefitted from the rise in in-running betting and has deemed the recommendation to ban the offer as “ludicrous”.
A spokesperson for the Gala Coral sportsbook subsidiary said British operators work hard at limiting instances of match-fixing and had invested heavily in sophisticated IT systems which are able to detect any level of unusual betting activity.
“Licensed betting operators in Britain are victims of match fixing, just as all customers who bet on these events are, as we all take bets and place bets on sporting events on the basis that the sport taking place is straight and honest,” they said.
“The measures being proposed to restrict in-running betting are silly, wrong and completely unjustified.”
Although the resolution is not a legislative document, Parliament hopes that by making its position on the matter clear, member states will follow its recommendations.
A CEO of a major sportsbook told eGR that the implementation of any ban would depend on what the respective countries are trying to achieve through regulation.
“Where they are after a viable and tax raising regime, sensible regulation and a wide product mix, including in-play, will follow,” they said.
“Where they are trying to close the market and protect incumbents, they may use this [ban] as a lever. However, you could argue these places were always going to be unworkable anyway.”
Yesterday the Remote Gambling Association said Parliament was “fundamentally wrong” to imply that the licensed betting industry presented a threat to the integrity of sport.