Sports Information Services (SIS) is currently under scrutiny due to allegations surrounding a deal with Santeda, a gambling operator registered in Curaçao. This information emerged from a leak by Casino Secrets, which revealed that SIS purportedly signed an agreement in 2022 with Santeda. This contract reportedly entailed that SIS would receive a share of revenue from the losses incurred by Santeda’s online gaming platforms. The agreement had a duration of two years and included automatic renewal unless either party decided to cancel it.
SIS has faced previous allegations of targeting vulnerable gamblers in the UK, in addition to being fined by Spanish authorities for operating without the necessary gambling license. Entain, which is the parent company of Ladbrokes, holds a 23% share in SIS. Meanwhile, William Hill possesses a stake of less than 20%, and Fred Done, the founder of Betfred, controls an 8% stake and is also on the board of SIS.
Representatives from these companies have stated they were not aware of SIS’s arrangement with Santeda. Reports indicate that SIS distributed £30 million in dividends to its shareholders in 2023.
This situation has prompted backlash from gambling advocates, particularly since all three companies advocate for stricter regulations against unregulated gambling practices. They have expressed concerns that increased gambling taxes could inadvertently bolster the black market.
Stella David, Entain’s chief executive, commented on the matter, stating that they were not involved in SIS’s commercial agreements and that they are taking this new information seriously, having raised their concerns with SIS.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder and Director of External Affairs at Gamban, remarked that although the largest gambling firms in the UK have been warning against the rise of the illicit market amid potential tax increases, they are simultaneously benefiting from it. He emphasized that to combat the black market effectively, the industry must first ensure that it is aligned with responsible practices.
In response, SIS asserted that its clients are obligated to conduct operations only within the scope of legal permissions and valid licenses. The company further clarified that clients must ensure compliance with relevant regulations at all times and that corrective actions, including contract suspensions or terminations, would be enforced upon discovery of any breaches.
