Policy
Misuse of inside information: Policy position paper
This document sets out the Gambling Commission’s approach to dealing with potential incidents of misuse of inside information in betting (June 2025).
Contents
Key points
We recognise that sanctions applied by Sports Governing Bodies (SGBs) and betting operators are often the most effective in cases that involve misuse of inside information.
The Gambling Commission will however, where appropriate, continue to play a role in some cases. The Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) will share information with relevant parties where appropriate. Data protection legislation must be considered in all circumstances where personal data is shared between organisations. Information can only be shared in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.
There may be some limited circumstances where criminal enforcement action may be undertaken. For example, the Commission may take direct action in high-impact cases, where there is a history of previous behaviour known to the Commission, or where there is significant public interest or a need to establish legal precedent. Cases of repeat offending would be treated more seriously.
The Commission will use the following as a definition when considering betting integrity cases in circumstances where sports rules, employment terms and conditions or other relevant forms of contract have no definition in place or, where a definition may not be fit for purpose:
Inside information is information which is known by an individual or individuals because of their role in connection with an event and which is not in the public domain and is related to:
- The participation in or likely participation in an event1.
- The likely or actual performance in an event that my affect the outcome.
- The likely or actual performance of in-play activity within an event.
- Activity related to a non-sporting event on which bets can be placed.
The following section sets out some examples to demonstrate what could fall into these categories.
Information is considered to be in the public domain if it has been published, is on public record or is accessible by an interested member of the public.
Examples
These examples are purely for descriptive purposes to assist with understanding the definition of inside information. Any reports, including those listed, would considered by the SBIU using the Commission’s betting integrity decision making framework which would include application of the Misuse of Information Spectrum. This is not an exhaustive list, and any reports would be considered on a case-by-case basis, such as any reports received that are similar to the following examples would not automatically result in an investigation or enforcement action.
The participation in or likely participation in an event
The expectation that a team or individual will or will not participate in an event. Examples of inside information that could be used to unfairly place a bet when the information is not in the public domain:
- knowledge that a participant will withdraw from a sporting event when the public expectation is that they will participate
- knowledge that a celebrity will participate in a TV series where the cast list is not revealed until the opening show.
The likely performance in an event
How a team or individual is anticipated to perform without any element of deliberate manipulation, collusion or other factor that would have an influence on the expected outcome. Examples of inside information that could be used to unfairly place a bet when the information is not in the public domain:
- knowledge that participant(s) plan to deliberately underperform during an event
- knowledge that a participant is carrying an injury which has not been made public that is likely to affect their performance.
The likely or actual performance of in-play activity within an event
A participant or team takes deliberate pre-determined action whilst competing in an event to achieve a specific outcome relating to an element of that event. This may or may not affect the final result of that event. Examples of inside information that could be used to unfairly place a bet when the information is not in the public domain:
- knowledge that a participant plans to take action that would lead to them being disciplined during an event
- knowledge that a participant or participants plan to lose an individual game, set, or frame during an event that does not necessarily impact the ultimate outcome.
Activity related to a non-sporting event on which bets can be placed
Knowledge of activity that is not connected to an event involving sports competitors but on which bets can be placed. Examples of inside information that could be used to unfairly place a bet when the information is not in the public domain:
- knowledge that a team manager will be leaving their position
- knowledge of the appointment of a new team member
- knowledge of a person taking over as a presenter of a TV show
- knowledge of the winner of a competition (for example Best Actor, Sports Personality).
Organisations that could be impacted by misuse of information for betting purposes are not obliged to use these definitions. However, we encourage that these definitions are considered in the drafting of relevant guidance or rules and that organisations ensure that any tailored definitions are sufficiently wide ranging to cover all perceived eventualities.
References
1 Event: relates to any type of activity on which a betting market is offered. This could be, for example, a sporting match or tournament, a TV talent or reality show, a novelty market or speculation about a change in personnel.
Misuse of information spectrum - Misuse of inside information Next section
Key points relating to Sports Governing Bodies - Misuse of inside information
Last updated: 16 December 2025
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