Sports Information Services (SIS) is currently embroiled in controversy over an alleged contract with Santeda, a gambling company registered in Curaçao, as revealed in documents from Casino Secrets. According to The Guardian, the leaked materials suggest that SIS secured a deal in 2022 with Santeda, which established a revenue-sharing agreement tied to the losses incurred by the operator’s websites. This contract reportedly spans two years and automatically renews unless terminated by either side.
This is not the first time SIS has faced scrutiny; the company was previously criticized for targeting vulnerable gamblers in the UK and has been fined by Spanish regulators for operating without a necessary license.
Entain, owner of Ladbrokes, holds a 23% stake in SIS, while William Hill owns less than 20%, and Betfred founder Fred Done controls an 8% stake and serves on SIS’s board. Despite their stakes, all three companies have distanced themselves from the SIS-Santeda agreement, stating they were not informed about the arrangement. Reports indicate that SIS distributed £30 million in dividends to its shareholders in 2023.
The situation has frustrated campaigners since these operators have advocated for stricter measures against unregulated gambling, while expressing concerns that increased gambling taxation could fuel the illicit market.
Stella David, CEO of Entain, remarked on the issue, emphasizing that the company does not engage in the agreements SIS pursues, and underscored the seriousness of the situation, confirming that they have raised their concerns with SIS.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder and Director of External Affairs at Gamban, criticized the hypocrisy of major gambling firms. He stated that while they voice apprehensions about the risks of an expanding black market due to government regulations, they are simultaneously profiting from it and need to address their own associations.
In response to the uproar, SIS affirmed that its clients are mandated to offer products only in jurisdictions where they possess the required licenses. The company also stated that it takes necessary actions, including contract suspension or termination, if it becomes aware of non-compliance with these terms.
