Legal and Regulatory Frameworks in Sports Betting: Global Perspectives

It is not uncommon for certain platforms to lose accreditation due to non-compliance, which underscores the importance of verifying a platform’s standing before engaging. The UK emphasizes consumer protection through measures like the GamStop self-exclusion scheme and strict advertising standards. Operators are required to provide clear terms and conditions, and the UKGC actively monitors and penalizes non-compliance. Recently, in line with PAGCOR’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and transparency of the gaming industry, PAGCOR started to implement the enhanced National Database of Restricted Persons (NDRP) on 15 January 2024, which includes the names of government officials and employees. Supplier accreditations (including for electronic gaming machines and other services) are provided on an ongoing basis. For e-gaming licences, as of November 2024, there is a “soft moratorium” on receiving new applicants in order to allow PAGCOR to properly and carefully process existing applications and review existing licensees.

Sports betting has experienced exponential growth worldwide, driven by technological advancements, changing attitudes towards gambling, and the increasing commercialization of sports. However, with this expansion comes the necessity for robust legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure integrity, consumer protection, and the prevention of illicit activities such as match-fixing and money laundering. This article takes a closer look at the legal and regulatory frameworks governing sports betting across different regions of the globe, examining key components, challenges, and various examples. Sports betting is regulated to prevent illegal gambling activities, such as match-fixing and money laundering, to protect consumers from fraud and exploitation, and to promote responsible gambling practices. Regulation also helps generate tax revenue for governments and supports the integrity of sports competitions. The Philippines’ approach to gaming and gambling regulation is a combination of prescriptive and management-based systems.

Licensees are required to perform their due diligence on these providers and at times, are subject to penalties themselves if the B2B providers are found to be non-compliant. With respect to online gaming or e-gaming operations, the Electronic Gaming Licensing Department (EGLD) regularly updates its rules unibet concerning e-gaming activities. For rules governing e-gaming service providers, the most updated Regulatory Framework for the Accreditation of Service Providers and Processing of System-Related Requests should be consulted.

Thank you, in advance, for your assistance, and I look forward to any legal advice or clarifications you may offer. After successfully acquiring its accreditation from PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) as an official Sports Betting System Service Provider, TGXI offers a new gaming experience to all sports enthusiasts and sports betting avid fans aged 21 and above. GSPORTS is a top-rated sportsbook where players can place wagers on a variety of betting markets across professional, collegiate, and other sports leagues via retail or online GSPORTS sportsbook.

In order to ensure that the certified WLA member remains compliant with the WLA-SCS throughout the three-year certification period, two annual review assessments must be scheduled and completed. An example of the DoAF and the instructions on how to fill it out can be found in Annex B of this guide. The procedures followed by ASEs and the auditors conducting WLA-SCS assessments must be clear and openly available. The Sports Betting Group (SBG) brings together representatives from across sport to provide leadership and to share good practice to address the risks from sports betting corruption.

Code of Practice for the WLA-SCS (CoP)

Internal mechanisms are in place to ensure that eCOGRA avoids involvement in any activities that may diminish confidence in eCOGRA’s competence, impartiality, judgement or operational integrity. The organisation is committed to ensuring that the work conducted by its employees demonstrates the highest possible standard of professionalism. The Gaming Employment License Manual provides for the requirements to maintain and renew the GEL. Also, any change in, or addition to, its board of directors (BOD) shall be reported to PAGCOR within five working days from the occurrence of said change. In line with this, documentary requirements are to be submitted by the new partner or member of the BOD to PAGCOR. If the concerned entity regulated by PAGCOR is a publicly listed company, any person who acquires the beneficial ownership of 5% or more of any class of equity securities of the concerned entity is required to disclose such fact to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and to the SEC.

The ESIC Gold Standard sets out a framework of best practices for tournament organizers, ensuring that events operate with the highest levels of integrity and safety for all participants and stakeholders. Only a few organizers globally have met the stringent criteria necessary to earn this status. GSPORTS provides a secure and safe betting website by using the latest encryption technologies to protect the sensitive information of its customers. Fairness and quality playing experience are guaranteed as all its betting products and services are audited and regulated by PAGCOR. MANILA, September 28, 2021 – Total Gamezone Xtreme Incorporated (TGXI), a fully-owned subsidiary of DigiPlus Interactive Corporation (DigiPlus Interactive Corporation), proudly announces its own sports betting system called, GSPORTS.

Gaming Law 2024

A land-based casino licence is issued by PAGCOR to operators of casinos or casino premises. A licence can either be a provisional licence or a gaming licence, and all gaming activities that the licensee intends to conduct and provide should be covered under such licence. The first annual review after a remote initial assessment shall be done on-site and the auditor shall audit, without exclusion, all applicable controls.

It should be noted that the present guidance does not except ASEs and auditors from the responsibility for establishing the needed resources and for defining the timeframe for adequately conducting WLA-SCS assessments, both on-site and remotely. Mindful of fair competition within a free market, the WLA SRMC presents this guidance as a means of providing a common level of assurance with regards to available resources for conducting a WLA-SCS assessment, and to ensure a consistent certification scheme. In so doing, the WLA SRMC hopes to maintain member confidence and to create a level playing field among ASEs and auditors. ASEs must annually provide the WLA with a detailed WLA-ASE Report that confirms the compliance of the ASE with the agreement and requirements, as well as a list of the employed auditors involved in WLA-SCS assessments.

• You can check if an online sports betting platform is legal by visiting the PAGCOR Online Portal and searching for the operator’s name.
• GSPORTS provides a secure and safe betting website by using the latest encryption technologies to protect the sensitive information of its customers.
• The security and integrity of gaming activities play a critical role in maintaining the public’s confidence and trust in the gaming sector.

In general, PAGCOR licensees should update their corporate and shareholder information whenever they renew their licences. We also encourage clients to notify PAGCOR of such changes on a periodic basis even in between these periods in order to maintain transparency with the regulator. As a result of the ban on POGOs, it is expected that the Offshore Gaming Regulatory Department (the department supervising POGOs and other offshore gaming entities) will be non-operational. The EGLD may take on additional roles and functions, including supervising the special class of BPOs (SCBPOs).

The ICT availability and the competency of human resources must be assessed by the auditor and the WLA member prior to the decision to schedule a remote assessment. The WLA informs the WLA member and the auditor by email of the WLA-SCS certificate release status. To receive the WLA-SCS Level 2 certificate, MUSL lotteries must follow the regular certification procedure contained in Part A, Section 5 of this guide. Additionally, MUSL lotteries must be audited against Annex D (controls for multi-juris­dictional games, known as the M Controls).

This decision opened the floodgates for states to legalize and regulate sports betting independently. The subsequent legalization wave across states exemplifies the dynamic nature of sports betting regulations, reflecting changing societal attitudes and legal interpretations. The 5% franchise tax (and corporate income taxes if applicable) are payable directly to the BIR, specifically to the concerned Revenue District Office (RDO) where the licensee is registered.

International Recognition & Accreditation

In such cases, reference to the additional document must be included in the recommendations field of the AF. On completion of the certification audit, the auditor selected completes a detailed certification assessment report, the Assessment Form (hereinafter AF), and any other documents deemed useful for clari­fying the outcome of the assessment. The duration of the assessment depends on the type of assessment and the size of the WLA member.

Based on discussions with PAGCOR president and COO Wilma Eisma, PAGCOR intends to enhance responsible gaming measures in the near future through the use of technology and gambling management tools. PAGCOR, in interviews with the media, has recently indicated that it intends to launch its own electronic or online gaming operations by 2025. There are currently no specific rules or regulations in connection with the use of affiliates in e-gaming. However, under the “Regulatory Framework for Marketing and/or Promoting Remote Gaming Platform and Services”, PAGCOR requires all marketing/promotional activities to strictly adhere to its rules. These activities also require co-ordination with PAGCOR’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department for both implementation and ongoing monitoring.

Macau’s robust regulations include stringent background checks for casino operators, surveillance systems, and collaboration with international organizations to combat match-fixing. This approach underscores the importance of regulatory bodies working in tandem with sports organizations and the betting industry to uphold the integrity of sports betting globally. Preserving the integrity of sports competitions is a global concern addressed through various measures. In Europe, the establishment of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) showcases industry collaboration. The IBIA, formerly known as ESSA (Sports Betting Integrity), comprises leading sports betting operators and monitors betting patterns to identify and report suspicious activities.

It can tarnish the reputation of participants across sport and impact upon the UK’sreputation as a safe environment within which to host sporting events and conduct gambling related business. One of the key recommendations was the formation of a sports betting group to provide leadership for sport and to share good practice on betting integrity matters, including the development of a Code of Practice. As an internationally recognised accredited conformity assessment body (CAB), we extend a comprehensive suite of testing, inspection, certification and auditing services for internet gaming, lottery, e-Commerce, sports betting and information technology industries. Until 1992, sports betting was largely prohibited at the federal level under the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). However, a turning point came in 2018 when the Supreme Court declared PASPA unconstitutional in the case of Murphy v. NCAA.

They may also implement measures such as mandatory reporting of suspicious betting, information sharing agreements, and educational programs to raise awareness. Sports betting regulation refers to the legal framework established by governments to oversee and manage betting activities on sporting events. These regulations aim to ensure fairness, integrity, and consumer protection within the industry.

Global licencing bodies, regulators and auditors help to give you a secure online gambling experience. We make sure to only recommend online casinos that have been checked and approved by recognized authorities in the gaming industry. Below we’ve detailed all of the key organizations that verify worldwide casinos and that help to keep players safe. Recognizing the potential and advantages that online sports betting brings to the table, PAGCOR took a bold step into the digital realm. 2016, the regulatory body introduced a groundbreaking framework for issuing online sports betting licenses. This visionary move was pivotal in keeping pace with technological advancements and creating a secure and regulated environment for Filipino players to engage in online sports betting.