SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Spain’s General Directorate of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ) has welcomed the country’s Euskadi autonomous region (Basque Country) as a sports integrity partner against cases of match-fixing.
Thanks to the agreement’s facilitation, the General Administration of the Autonomous Community of Euskadi can now access the Global Research Service that provides a comprehensive view over the betting market.
The Basque Government and its Gaming and Entertainment Directorate is now capable of fully leveraging the power of its autonomous Ertzaintza regional police force to assist the Spanish DGOJ in its global investigations of the betting market, with key data being handed over to the Ertzaintza Gaming and Entertainment Unit.
Spanish law, through its ninth additional provision Bill 13/2011, regulates the Global Research Service and sets its clear goal of preventing fraud and manipulation of events in the Spanish sports betting market.
Spearheaded by the DGOJ, all members of the service share a common interest of maintaining the values of fair play in Spanish sports.
Earlier this year, the number of members increased after the DGOJ welcomed the Association of Spanish Footballers to the service’s ranks by giving it the tools needed to effectively chase down and light up instances of suspicious betting activity.
Last year also saw a total of €71m handed over in fines to online gambling businesses accused of infringing Spain’s consumer protection and gambling regulations.
