As sports betting becomes a more prominent part of the gaming industry, lawmakers are looking for ways to regulate it. Some states are limiting the types of bets that can be placed, while others are imposing stricter data requirements. The leagues are also seeking to impose a “integrity fee,” which would take a cut of the total sports wagers in a state. But is the league data that the games are based on reliable? And will mandating it provide the integrity lawmakers want in legal US sports gambling?
A number of states, including Illinois and Tennessee, have included official data in their sports betting laws. But the inclusion of such a requirement is controversial, and some observers believe that it will create an artificial barrier to entry for sportsbooks. The terms of such a mandate are set by the leagues, which have little historical precedent to judge their reasonableness. And by forcing operators into commercial agreements with the leagues, legislators may be granting one party what amounts to a monopoly on game data.
In addition to a ban on direct advertising, the FA’s rules bar players and club officials from engaging in bribery or match-fixing activities, both as individuals and on their clubs’ behalf. In addition, they are banned from providing inside information to those who wish to place bets on WBSC matches.