An independent CMA panel has decided Spreadex should sell Sporting Index after finding the deal harmed competition for licensed online sports spread betting services.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accepted the proposed sale of Sporting Index, to address the competition concerns it had found in the licensed online sports spread betting market, with some modifications and enhancements.

Last year, Spreadex acquired the ‘business-to-consumer’ business of Sporting Index from Sporting Group Holding Limited (Sporting Group). Spreadex and Sporting Index both provide sports fixed odds betting and sports spread betting services to customers based in the UK.

Advertisement

Sports spread betting involves customers betting on a range of outcomes of sporting events rather than the standard ‘win or lose’ outcomes offered by fixed-odds betting. In spread betting, the closer a customer’s bet is to an outcome, the more money they stand to win, and the further away from the outcome they are, the more they stand to lose. This means that, in contrast to fixed odds betting, customers’ wins and losses could be far higher than the amount they bet.

After conducting an in-depth Phase 2 investigation into the deal, the CMA’s independent panel has concluded the deal created a monopoly in the UK licensed online sports spread betting market, eliminating competition in that market. The panel concluded that the merger could lead to a worse user experience, a more limited range of products and/or higher prices for consumers in the UK.

The panel has concluded that, with some modifications and enhancements, the sale remedy proposed by Spreadex is sufficient to remedy the competition concerns and restore competition in this market that is lost as a result of the deal.

The CMA now has 12 weeks to either accept Final Undertakings from Spreadex, or to make a Final Order requiring Spreadex, to sell Sporting Index to a suitable CMA-approved buyer.

Richard Feasey, the chair of the independent panel reviewing the merger, said:

Advertisement

“This deal eliminates competition in the supply of licensed online sports spread betting services in the UK.

Sports spread betting – like any other market – needs competition to drive good customer experience, maintain choice and keep prices competitive. To achieve this, we have decided that Spreadex should sell Sporting Index, so that customers can choose between two firms for the best user experience and prices, rather than having to use only one. “

Further details are available on the SpreadEx / Sporting Index case page.

The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has imposed a fine of €1,125,000 on Blue High House SA for offering online games of chance without the necessary permit. This is prohibited. Blue High House had previously been given a penalty payment order for the illegal offer.

On the website betonline.ag, owned by Blue High House, Dutch players could participate in online gambling. No measures had been taken to keep players from the Netherlands out. During its investigation, the KSA found various abuses that led to a higher fine than the basic fine of €600,000 being imposed. The offer on the website in question has now been stopped, but the KSA is closely monitoring that the provider does not offer illegally on the Dutch market again via other channels. If the KSA does find this, new sanctions may follow.

Michel Groothuizen, chairman of the board of the KSA, said: “The Netherlands has a legal market to ensure that people who want to gamble can do so safely. With illegal providers, such as in this case blue high house, we often see that risky gaming behavior is not taken into account in any way. For example, players can create an account on this website without having to verify their age, which means that minors can also play. We also saw things like autoplay and turboplay, which can encourage excessive gaming, and there were no gaming limits. The KSA takes tough action against these types of illegal websites.”

Advertisement

The Chamber of Deputies of Argentina will debate a federal measure on Wednesday, 27 November, to ban all gambling advertising and sponsorships.

The debate has been expedited after five opposition blocs in Congress united behind the proposal, which aims to prohibit any form of advertising or sponsorship promoting gaming and betting companies.

Civic Committees, tasked with creating a federal framework to address gambling-related harm and pathological behaviour, strongly support the measure. Committees on Addiction Prevention, Social Action, Communications, Criminal Legislation and Families and Youth are finalising policies for a federal bill on gambling protections. The proposed law would supersede existing state regulations.

Advertisement

Strengthening protections for minors is at the heart of the committees’ efforts. This summer, Jorge Macri, Chief Governor of Buenos Aires, banned new gambling licenses after reports revealed that 34% of minors in the city had gambled by bypassing adult verification checks.

The bill proposes strict rules on gambling promotion, including:

• Banning betting company logos on sports jerseys.

• Prohibiting advertisements in digital and traditional media.

• Eliminating welcome bonuses on online gambling platforms.

Advertisement

• Restricting payment methods, such as banning credit systems and social assistance cards for gambling transactions.

The proposal has drawn support from diverse political groups, including Unión por la Patria, Encuentro Federal, the Civic Coalition and left-wing factions. However, the ruling coalition, which includes PRO, La Libertad Avanza and parts of the UCR, advocates for a more lenient approach that would allow sponsorships to continue.

The minority opinion pushes for a broader ban on all forms of gambling advertising and sponsorships, though it lacks detailed guidelines.

Lawmakers face a deadline of 30 November, when a three-month recess begins. They aim to ensure the measure is debated and voted on before the recess.