Month: June 2024

Since the US Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, a key goal for legal US stakeholders is stamping out the black market.

The federal government in 2011 had success in taking down the original Poker Stars, which was operating illegally in the US. The same year, the DoJ settled with Laura Varela and Costa Rican sportsbook 5Dimes, which also operated in the US.

But since then, there has been seemingly little activity in relation to keeping illegal gambling operators out of the American market. In May the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) became the first US regulator to send a cease-and-desist letter to an offshore operator.

“Bovada, you are out!”

On 29 May, the MGCB gave Curaçao-based Bovada 14 days, (which would conclude today – 12 June) to cease operations. The regulator wrote that Bovada is in violation of the Lawful Internet Gaming Act, the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act and multiple parts of the Michigan penal code.

Should Bovada continue to operate, the MGCB is promising to take the company to court.

“For those of you who have not been following it, the state of Michigan has come forward, the Michigan Gaming Control Board has come forward and said ‘Bovada, you are out, we want you out of business in our state, you’re ruining it for regulated customers and we are going to do something about it,’” Brandt Iden, head of government affairs for Fanatics Sportsbook, said on the World Series of Politics podcast.

“This is how it starts…. The regulated market can’t thrive if the illegal market is still there and Michigan has taken the first step and I encourage other regulators to do it.”

Iden, a former Michigan representative, was the architect of Michigan’s legal gaming and online casino law.

Legal action should follow cease-and-desist

Connecticut regulators plan to follow Michigan’s lead, the Sports Betting Dime reported on Tuesday (11 June). The sports betting division of the Department of Consumer Protection “does send out cease and desist letters anytime we receive a consumer complaint or become aware of an illegal gaming operator”, it told Sports Betting Dime. The agency has plans to send a letter to Bovada, which is already banned in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Nevada.

“The cease-and-desist is first and then how far can you prosecute along the way to protect against illegal operators is next,” Las Vegas-based Brendan Bussmann of B Global told iGB. “This is where the feds come into play, it needs to be a coordinated effort.

“The challenge becomes this, are there enough laws on the book that allow you to prosecute and protect your citizens? And if there are, you should pursue it, no matter what the cost.”

What role can operators play in squeezing out the illegal market?

“Legal operators must continue their work with regulators to make sure black or grey is not in the market,” Bussmann said. “it is incumbent upon all licensed operators to want to have a clean market.”

The MGCB is also taking steps to ensure that licensed suppliers and vendors are not doing business with illegal operators or in illegal markets. The regulator earlier this month sent a letter to internet game content providers requiring them to fill out an ‘Illegal Gaming Attestation‘.

“The required form in Michigan to suppliers shows the level of seriousness that regulators are taking to make sure that everyone who is operating in this market, not just operators but suppliers of content, is not working in illegal markets or with illegal operators,” Bussmann said.

Feds would be more effective than states, in this case

Gambling stakeholders are often loathe to invite the federal government into their industry. But given that black market operators can offer their wares in any US jurisdiction without paying taxes or offering consumer protections, it is one area where the legal industry would welcome federal help.

Any state can try to remove an illegal operator from its borders. But with 50 US states, that means that 50 different regulators would have to take action against the hundreds of companies that offer wagering. The cost of such a redundant action – in both time and money – seems ridiculous, when the federal government has far more resources than a single state. And a federal crackdown would mean removing black-market operators from all US jurisdictions at once, rather than piecemeal.

Illegal companies aren’t limited to those offering wagering on a digital platform. There are suppliers, vendors and affiliates that skirt the law. In some cases, mainstream US media and affiliates knowingly or unknowingly shill for black market companies.

“It’s the whole ecosystem across the board,” Bussmann said. “If you look at a lot of affiliates they will carry information about illegal operators. Like presidential markets… that is not legal, so any affiliate or mainstream media, for that matter, that promotes presidential odds is promoting the illegal market.”

DoJ continues to go after illegal gambling operators

In April 2023, seven regulators, including the MGCB, wrote to the DoJ asking that it “prioritise” investigations into illegal gambling operators and online casinos. The DoJ responded four months later saying that it “takes seriously” the issue of illegal gambling and that it “continues to pursue” such investigations.

In the last year, the federal government has been working a wide-reaching investigation surrounding the Wayne Nix illegal gambling ring. So far, one casino executive has been sentenced, a key bettor has agreed to plead, and Nix himself will be sentenced in September.

The investigation has garnered headlines for its connection to professional baseball. Nix’s operation took hundreds of millions in bets and laundered money through California and Nevada casinos. But its scope doesn’t appear to touch that of an offshore operator offering sports betting and online casino games.

Whether at the federal or state level, Bussmann says government officials should keep the heat on.

“This isn’t about taking credit for it,” Bussmann said. “It’s about doing the right it’s about shutting down scourges on the industry.”

The decision to open the market was not without controversy. An amendment that would have removed the new sports betting plan was defeated, 4-9, after heated discussion. Two key issues around DC sports betting were at play on Wednesday. Some council members said they were concerned about the “speed” at which the change has moved forward. Others said small businesses that currently benefit from having wagering kiosks could lose the opportunity.

In the current scenario, the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) has a monopoly on online wagering. As of April, FanDuel was the only operator that could offer digital betting throughout the District. BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook have retail locations and can offer digital betting within an exclusion zone.

Should the budget pass, it will go into effect on 15 July. At that point, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook, both of which offer limited on-site mobile, would be able to offer their platforms throughout the city and new operators could apply for DC sports betting licences. In addition, proposed language allows for the creation of Type C licences.

Wagering change has been the “opposite of fast-tracking”

Council member Kenyan McDuffie, author of the change, said his economic development committee has had 11 hearings on wagering over time and that he has been “blocked” or “stonewalled” by the OLG “at every turn.” Council member Charles Allen said the process has been the “opposite of fast-tracking”. Previously, the council considered some form of legal wagering in 2019 and 2022, as well.

The council initially legalised in 2019 and gave the OLG a digital monopoly for DC sports betting. The OLG contracted with lottery vendor Intralot to offer digital wagering. Intralot and the lottery rolled out GamBetDC in May 2020 to terrible reviews. The product never hit the monetary goals projected by politicians at that time.

Earlier this year, the OLG announced an agreement to allow Intralot to subcontract sports betting to FanDuel. In its first full calendar month (May) of digital wagering in DC, FanDuel broke city records for handle and revenue. It paid the city $486,071 in tax revenue, the most DC has collected in wagering tax revenue since launch, according to the Sports Handle revenue database. For comparison, the city collected $202,480 from retail and digital operators in May 2023.

Kiosk concerns unfounded?

With regard to kiosks and small business, the new proposal would not keep kiosks out of businesses. Currently, there are kiosks at lottery-partner businesses throughout the city. The kiosks were branded GamBetDC, but FanDuel is in the process of rebranding. The new legislation would not take the opportunity away.

“Nothing will change,” McDuffie said about kiosks.

As the council has discussed opening the DC sports betting market, there has been much concern about how small businesses will fare. There are currently multiple small businesses that contract with the city’s brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

It would seem that with more operators, there would be more opportunity for small business. By law, operators are required to partner with women- and minority-owned businesses. In addition, potential entrants DraftKings and Fanatics Sportsbook said they are interested in having physical sportsbooks in DC.

Chairman backs issue because city needs money

Digital sports betting has been a fraught issue since the DC Council legalised in 2019. McDuffie and Allen, who were on the council at that time, opposed the single-source setup five years ago. McDuffie has been exploring ways to change the market ever since.

Council chair Phil Mendelson said he agreed to include the new wagering plan in the budget because the city needs the revenue. Some council members wanted the open-market bill to stand on its own but, politically, folding it into the budget makes the change an easier sell.

“It’s a complicated issue,” council member Brianne Nadeau said. “I think it should be a stand-alone issue. I do not like that I am being forced to vote on this as part of the budget.”

The DC Council’s committee of the whole is next scheduled to meet on 18 June.

The language of the New York casino bill is meticulously crafted to expedite the licensing schedule. It lays out clear guidelines for bidders, emphasising the importance of meeting the August deadline.

This tight schedule is indicative of the state’s commitment to resolving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) budgetary concerns swiftly. The bill also includes provisions to ensure that the licensing process is transparent and competitive. It offers equal opportunities for all interested parties.

The revenue generated from the new casinos is earmarked for the MTA, providing a lifeline to an organisation that is integral to the daily lives of millions of New Yorkers. The New York casino bill dedicates funds expected to alleviate the financial strain on the MTA. It would then be able to continue its operations without resorting to drastic measures such as service cuts or fare hikes.

The MTA was slated to receive a significant portion of the revenue generated by a proposed toll on vehicles entering Manhattan’s busiest areas during peak hours. However, that congestion pricing plan is now on hold. Lawmakers are looking to casino operators for billions of dollars in exchange for the coveted licences.

MTA in dire straits

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the MTA wasn’t operating on a clean financial slate. There was an existing structural deficit, meaning expenses consistently outpaced revenue. This gap, estimated at around $750m annually, stemmed from several factors, including high operating costs and a reliance on fare revenue.

The pandemic dealt a major blow to the MTA’s finances. Ridership plummeted as many transitioned to remote work or opted for alternative modes of transportation. This significant drop in fare revenue drastically exacerbated the existing deficit.

The Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced charges against Tabcorp in May 2023. This related to allowing a 17-year-old to gamble on multiple occasions between May 2022 and October 2023.

Venues of concern included Albion Charles Hotel, Brunswick Club, Coburg TAB Agency, Cramers Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, Edwardes Lake Hotel, Excelsior Hotel, Northcote TAB Agency, Olympic Hotel, Parkview Hotel, Preston Hotel and the Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel.

The case was passed on to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, which this week ruled against Tabcorp. In addition to underage gambling charges, the court also ruled that Tabcorp failed to properly supervise its electronic betting terminals (EBTs).

“The breaches committed by Tabcorp are incredibly serious,” VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt said. “They reflect a fundamental failure to protect minors from the risks associated with gambling, as well as a lack of vigilance on their part.

“Gambling providers and their staff are on the frontline of our efforts to prevent underage gambling. It is their duty to rigorously check IDs and supervise gambling activities to ensure minors are not able to access these services. Their vigilance is crucial in safeguarding young people from the harms of gambling.

“It is imperative that all stakeholders in the gambling industry understand the gravity of this issue and take their responsibilities seriously to prevent such harm.

“These failures undermine the integrity and safety of the industry.”

Victoria clamping down on underage gambling

The order is the latest action authorities in Victoria have taken over underage gambling and failing to monitor EBTs. This all relates to alleged breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

In September 2023, the VGCCC charged Tabcorp and several venues over underage gambling across the past eight months. This covers the period between September 2022 and October 2023.

The first case came to court when a magistrate fined the Preston Hotel AU$25,300 for allowing a then-16-year-old to gamble using EBTs in 2022.

It was previously stated Tabcorp faces a total of 72 charges. If found guilty, the operators face a maximum collective fine of over $1.0m. Tabcorp’s fine could amount to $969,236.

The case has also led to Tabcorp facing other measures in Victoria. In January, the VGCCC ordered Tabcorp to make most of its EBTs in the state cashless. This was in direct response to incidents of underage gambling.

As of late January, approximately 70% of Tabcorp’s 1,800 EBTs across Victoria only accept vouchers. To access cashless machines, players must purchase a voucher at the counter. Here, they face ID checks to ensure they are of legal age to gamble on EBTs.

Tabcorp hit with other charges in Victoria

The underage gambling case is the second major issue to hit Tabcorp in Victoria over the past 12 months.

In September, the VGCCC fined Tabcorp a record AU$1.0m over its conduct during a major system outage in 2020. Tabcorp’s Wagering and Betting System (WBS) went down on 7 November 2020, during that year’s Spring Racing Carnival.

The VGCCC hit out at Tabcorp over its actions, including how the operator did not voluntarily provide adequate information about the outage and criticised its conduct during the investigation. Tabcorp was also blasted for its “repeated failure” to comply with directions.

At the time, the fine was the largest ever issued in relation to gambling in Victoria. This may, however, be beaten by a potential fine facing Rumotel, operator of the Tower Hotel.

Rumotel could face an additional fine of up to $1.4m for allegedly breaching responsible gambling rules. The VGCCC is yet to confirm whether the fine will be issued, despite the announcement being made back in October. 

Exclusive rights a boost for Tabcorp 

Of course, the charges against Tabcorp have been a blow for the operator. However, there is seemingly no question about its long-term future in Victoria after it recently secured a package of rights.

In December, Tabcorp was awarded exclusive rights to offer wagering and betting in Victoria for the next 20 years. Tabcorp’s licence period commences in August 2024, immediately after its current exclusive licence expires.

Tabcorp, which has held its current licence since 2012, will pay the Victorian government more than $1.00bn over the next two decades. The licence authorises it to conduct betting activities in Victoria, including the only authorisation to take bets in-person, outside of racetracks. 

Had the new licence terms applied for 2023, group EBITDA would have been $140m higher on a pro forma basis.

In January, Corinthians announced it had agreed a BRL370m (£59.8m/€69.4m/$75.9m) sponsorship deal with VaideBet. The operator was to become its front-of-shirt sponsor for the next three years. The deal was the biggest sponsorship in Brazilian football history.

However, reports emerged that the São Paulo Civil Police were conducting an investigation into irregularities relating to the deal. These included the presence of a third party.

Last Thursday (6 June), Corinthians announced it had responded to a VaideBet request with a letter clarifying negotiation details. The club reiterated it had not committed any illegal acts.

Despite the letter, on Friday the club published a statement. It revealed VaideBet had discontinued its sponsorship despite the investigation not yet reaching a conclusion.

“Corinthians regrets that its commercial partner ended the biggest sports marketing agreement in Brazil, from which the company benefitted to the point of going from an unknown bookmaker to second place in the sector in just five months,” the statement read.

“It is worth mentioning that Corinthians is the most interested in resolving the aforementioned issue. Therefore, it is sparing no effort to ensure that the facts are clarified, whether by its own means, through third parties or in collaboration with the authorities.”

Anti-corruption clause

In its 6 June announcement, Corinthians noted the club included anti-corruption clauses in its standard contracts.

Having not been satisfied with Corinthians’ clarification, VaideBet “regrettably” activated the anti-corruption clause to terminate the sponsorship.

In a statement shared with Games Magazine Brasil, VaideBet outlined the reasons for ending the deal.

“The brand believes that the partnership cannot be maintained as long as there is any suspicion regarding conduct that does not comply with ethics and legal precepts,” VaideBet said. “Just one doubt, in the brand’s ethical opinion, is enough to determine the termination – which was exercised by VaideBet, raising clauses in the contract that protect the brand’s rights in this decision.

“VaideBet regrets the end of a partnership that should have lasted at least three years and thanks the immense and passionate Corinthians fans for their affection and respect, who daily support the history and values of the institution.”

CPI comments on sponsorship

Prior to the discontinuation of the agreement between Vaidebet and Corinthians, a parliamentary inquiry commission (CPI) set up to investigate match-fixing also discussed football sponsorship in Brazil.

Since Bill 3,626/2023 was passed to regulate sports betting in December, a number of sponsorships have been announced alongside Corinthians’. Betfair, for instance, have become the kit sponsor of Vasco da Gama. Betano, meanwhile, has sponsored Brazil’s top-flight, as well as the upcoming Copa America.

Such deals haven’t been without scrutiny, however. In the CPI meeting Senator Eduardo Girão, formerly Fortaleza Esporte Clube president, criticised the deals and their impact on the reputation of Brazilian football.

“The conflict of interest for me is very clear,” Girão said.

“I, as club president, am strictly against it. I think we are killing the golden goose in football. People don’t know if they’re watching a real game or a prearranged one.”

On Wednesday (11 June) law firm Fox Williams announced it was seeking to recover more than £100m in compensation for the operator’s institutional investors.

The claim, which will be filed by autumn 2024, is in connection to the final Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) Entain made with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding bribery and corruption offences committed in Turkey in December 2023. The terms of the DPA were initially outlined in August.

At the time the company agreed to pay a financial penalty – plus disgorgement of profits – of £585.0m (€694.2m/$752.2m). It was also ordered to make a charitable donation of £20.0m and contribute £10.0m to CPS and HMRC costs.

Responding to questions from iGB, Fox Williams said it was anticipating the compensation to total more than £100m (€118.3m/$127.9m).

Fox Williams said it is submitting the claim on the basis that Entain failed to communicate knowledge to investors regarding the investigation. The claim period is 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2023.

“We believe senior executives of Entain knew at the time that its Turkish subsidiary was involved in bribery and did not disclose this to its shareholders, in breach of its disclosure obligations and standards of good governance,” the firm told iGB.

Fox Williams is alleging that the business breached Sections 90 and 90A of the Financial Services & Market Act 2000. These sections refer to compensation for those that have suffered a loss due to misleading or delayed statements regarding securities.

“The claim represents an opportunity for investors in Entain to recover compensation,” Fox Williams said in a statement on its website. “We urge any eligible investors to participate on this basis.”

What triggered the investigation?

The HMRC investigation kicked off in November 2019. This is when the Entain Holdings UK Limited subsidiary received an order from HMRC requesting information about Headlong Ltd, its former Turkish-facing online gaming business.

Headlong Ltd was under Entain’s ownership from 2011 to 2017, when it was sold. Entain refuted claims that it had continued to benefit from Headlong Ltd after the sale.

In July 2020, Entain – then GVC – confirmed that HMRC was expanding its investigation to cover “potential corporate offending”. This included section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010.

It wasn’t until May 2023 that Entain confirmed that it was working to resolve the probe. At the time, Entain also warned that it might face a “substantial” penalty from HMRC.

iGB has reached out to Entain for comment.

Following the resolution of the DPA in December, Entain released a statement confirming that it had reviewed its anti-bribery policies.

“This is the final step in a process that has hung over our business since HMRC launched its investigation into a business that was sold by a former management team six years ago,” said Barry Gibson, then-chairman of Entain.

“We have cooperated extensively and proactively at every stage of the process which, I am pleased to say, has been recognised by the court. Entain has now fundamentally and profoundly changed.”

In its first full month of operation in Washington DC FanDuel reported it had taken $29.7m in bets during May, some 450.0% more than the $5.4m wagered in the same month last year with previous incumbent GambetDC. Players won a total of $24.9m from betting with FanDuel last month.

FanDuel officially took on its new role in DC on 15 April. This followed the Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) completing its transition from Intralot-run GambetDC, its long-term partner for sports betting.

The $4.9m generated by FanDuel this May eclipses the $711,282 posted by GambetDC in the same month last year. Revenue is calculated by taking player winnings off total bets placed during the month.

Incidentally, the amount generated by – and bet with – FanDuel is higher than all operators combined for any previous month in DC. Other operators also active in DC include BetMGM and Caesars Entertainment. 

Last month, the OLG released figures for FanDuel’s first 30 days of operation in Washington DC, with these showing $5.0m in revenue.

What about GambetDC in May?

While GambetDC has lost its online presence in DC, the brand retained a small presence in the market in May through its kiosks.

During May, these kiosks generated $189,095 in revenue off $898,671 in wagers. Players won some $709,576 from betting via the GambetDC kiosks.

As to how long these kiosks will remain, the situation is uncertain. FanDuel has already said it will be replacing betting kiosks at 63 lottery retailers across DC, so it appears GambetDC’s time is limited.

The GambetDC app remains accessible to players, but they can no longer use it to place bets on sports. Existing customers have until 15 October to withdraw any remaining funds from the platform.

GambetDC has faced issues in DC for a number of years with Intralot, which was contracted with DC, struggling to put out a competitive product. 

It came as no great surprise when the OLG approved a request from Intralot to subcontract online sports betting to FanDuel. This cleared the way FanDuel to go live in DC just a few days later.

In addition to higher wagers and more revenue, the partnership offers other benefits to the OLG. These include no longer having to pay operating expenses – previously between $2.0m and $4.0m a year. Now, FanDuel handles payment processing, promotions, marketing and retailer commissions.

Could we be set for a more open DC market?

Handing control to FanDuel could be the first step in opening up DC to more operators and competition. 

Yesterday (12 June), the DC Council approved a FY2025 budget including the Sports Wagering Amendment Act of 2024. The council unanimously approved the budget during a legislative meeting, with second vote coming as early as next week.

For a full round-up on the hearing, including details on a defeated amendment that would have removed the new sports betting plan, click here for the latest from Jill R Dorson.

Handle in May was 8.2% behind the $393.9m wagered in April. However, the total was up 27.6% from the $283.4m bet in Indiana during May last year.

As has been the case for some time, basketball was the most popular sport to wager on. In total, players in Indiana bet $97.2m on basketball in May. However, this was 19.8% lower than the $121.5m wagered in April – but 35.0% clear of last year’s total.

This decline was despite the arrival of Caitlin Clark, who joined WNBA team the Indiana Fever in mid-April. Clark is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the history of women’s basketball in the US.

As for other sports, baseball bets in May topped $73.7m, with American football at $1.7m. A further $86.7m was bet on other sports while parlay bets drew $102.1m in total wagers.

Revenue in May amounted to $39.0m, an increase of 5.1% from April. This is also 15.4% higher than the $33.8m generated in May of last year.

As for tax, the state was able to collect $3.7m from sports betting during the month. 

FanDuel and Blue Chip retain Indiana top spot 

Partners FanDuel and Blue Chip Casino claimed the top spot in Indiana for the second month in a row. Revenue from the partnership amounted to $15.9m off a handle of $112.3m.

DraftKings and Ameristar Casino again ranked second with $12.7m in revenue for May. This is, again, despite taking more bets – $134.0m – than FanDuel and Blue Chip.

At third place was Belterra Casino, another FanDuel partner, with $2.7m from $31.7m. 

Other notable results include Hollywood Lawrenceburg and ESPN Bet with revenue of $2.5m off $24.0m. In addition, French Lick Resort and partner Bet365 posted $1.9m from $22.2m.

Crystal Palace will feature Asian operator Net88 on the front of its shirt for the 2024-25 Premier League season. Premier League rival Wolves will be working with Southeast Asian gambling brand DEBET as sponsor for the next two seasons.

The Net88 deal, Palace said, represents a record deal for the club. Net88 now becomes a principal club partner, with its logo also set to feature on training wear, on the official club website and around the team’s Selhurst Park stadium.

“We’re pleased to announce this principal partnership ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign as we build upon the excellent form of the men’s team at the end of last season,” Palace chief commercial officer Barry Webber said.

“Net88 is a global online gaming platform for sports and gaming fans alike and we’re looking forward to working with them at this exciting time.”

A Net88 spokesperson added: “Everyone at Net88 is excited to work with Crystal Palace after a fantastic end to last season. We are delighted to join a club that is moving forward with their great young talent.”

Record shirt deal for Wolves and DEBET

As for Wolves, the two-year agreement with DEBET also comes into effect from the 2024-25 season. DEBET branding will feature on the team’s playing shirt and on official club training wear.

Founded in 2019, DEBET offers a range of sports betting and casino products in Southeast Asia. Wolves is owned by Fosun Group, a conglomerate headquartered in Shanghai, China. 

As was the case with Palace and Net88, Wolves said the deal is a record partnership for the club.

“Since our discussions began, we’ve been impressed with their professional approach and their appointment of knowledgeable individuals, who will be dedicated to making sure this partnership is a success,” Wolves’ general manager for marketing and commercial growth, Russell Jones, said.

“We look forward to working with DEBET over the next two seasons to grow the presence of both brands internationally.”

DEBET spokesperson Alan Alger added: “Wolves is a prestigious club and everyone at DEBET is proud to be part of the biggest principal partner deal the club has ever signed.”

What about the gambling shirt sponsor ban?

The deals come despite Premier League football clubs last April collectively agreeing to halt gambling sponsorship on the front of matchday shirts.

This will not come into effect until the 2025-26 season. Deals agreed in the lead up to this are permitted, as long as they conclude ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Since the announcement last spring, several clubs have secured new deals with gambling and betting brands. One of the most recent is Aston Villa, which is now working with Betano for the next two seasons.

Various other Premier League clubs also have similar deals in place. These include Brentford and Hollywood Bet and Everton with Stake.

North of the border, the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has announced a title sponsorship deal with William Hill. The agreement runs for five years from the 2024-25 season.

William Hill becomes title sponsor of all four SPFL divisions – Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 – and the official betting partner of the SPFL.

In July 2023, Spelinspektionen ordered payment provider Zimpler to halt working with unlicensed operators in the Swedish market.

Swedish regulator Spelinspektionen has warned payment provider Zimpler it could face a fine of up to SEK25.0m (£1.9m/€2.2m/$2.4m) if it fails to comply with its order to stop providing services, including the use of e-identification service BankID, for transactions with offshore sites.

Zimpler appealed that order and, last month, the administrative court upheld that appeal. The administrative court found the authority had a lack of basis for the injunction, subsequently cancelling it.

However, Spelinspektionen has now appealed that verdict. The regulator believes that Zimpler, a Swedish company, offering its payment service, meant the games under scrutiny were aimed at Sweden, thus promoting illegal gambling.

A higher court

As part of its appeal, Spelinspektionen has called for a higher court to look at the issue due to a lack of precedent, with reason to doubt the administrative court’s decision.

“It is also important for the management of the application of the law that the appeal is examined by higher law, because there is a lack of practice both when gambling companies are considered targeted to Sweden and the current scope of the promotion ban,” Spelinspektionen said in its appeal.

Spelinspektionen argued the administrative court had “assessed the legal situation incorrectly”.

Spelinspektionen stated the illegal sites were not only accessible to Swedish consumers, but also made available in a way that can be seen as designed specifically for the country’s market by using Zimpler.

The use of BankID, only available in Sweden, was also highlighted as a further appeal being made to Swedish consumers.

“Knowledge means promotion”

Spelinspektionen said Zimpler was promoting illegal gambling by knowing the illegal status of the offshore operators it was working with.

“It must be considered clear that Zimpler through its actions has illegally promoted [offshore operators],” Spelinspektionen added. “Whether or not Zimpler’s payment service has explicitly targeted gambling companies is irrelevant.”