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