World Cup bets are fair and safe with licensed operators

Press release

Date: 10 June 2010

At the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Gambling Commission (the Commission) is reminding punters to ensure their bet is fair and safe with a licensed betting operator. 

The reminder comes in the same week that the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) distributed guidelines to help betting operators avoid disputes during the tournament and published a complementary guide for punters on their website at www.ibas-uk.com. 

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is expected to be one of the largest sports betting events ever for British-based operators. All licensed betting operators must make their rules available to customers and have a written complaints procedure including a third party dispute resolution service such as IBAS in place.

All premises-based betting operators in Britain must be licensed by the Commission. Advice on betting on the internet is available from our quick guide What to look out for when gambling online - November 2008 which is available at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk. 

The Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Julia Mackisack said:

“The World Cup is likely to attract new customers to betting. People should ensure they use an operator who they can rely on to have adequate standards in place.

“Disputes can arise, especially where extra time is played and whilst customers are advised to check on the rules before betting, all operators licensed by the Gambling Commission must have a complaints procedure in place to give customers a fair deal.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The Gambling Commission

  1. 1. The Gambling Commission (the Commission) regulates gambling in the public interest alongside its co-regulators local licensing authorities. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to government on gambling in Britain.
  2. 2. The Commission and local licensing authorities are responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) respectively.
  3. 3. The Commission has consistently warned that commercial betting in pubs is not permitted under the Gambling Act 2005. It has also recently dealt with a handful of cases in which the Commission working with local authorities has found a small number of betting operators to be inadequately licensed.

Further information

  1. You can call John Travers on (0121) 230 6700, (07852) 124624 or email him via communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.