The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has published its ‘first of its kind’ optimum study into betting regulation across multiple jurisdictions, in cooperation with H2 Gambling Capital.

H2 was commissioned with the task of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of regulatory frameworks for various international betting jurisdictions, whilst consideration was also given to the effectiveness of betting product restrictions as well as the cost of match-fixing to the regulated global betting sector.

A jurisdictional analysis based on five core assessment criteria ranked the UK highest and India the lowest, whilst an optimum betting market solution in the form of ten regulatory pillars was also conducted.

The partnership also initiated an ‘evidence-based assessment’ of the availability of betting products and the cost of match fixing, whilst key findings from operator data covered $137bn in betting turnover.

However, no corruption issues were identified in 99.96% of surveyed markets, although a data-led evaluation revealed that the regulated sector suffered an annual loss of $25m due to match fixing.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, remarked. “The study and its contents can rightly be justified as unprecedented. H2 has conducted a detailed examination of product data covering $137bn in turnover, along with its own market data. 

“The result is a report that provides a never seen before insight into global consumer demand, integrity risks and regulatory practices. 

“In doing so, it reveals the core facets of a successful regulatory framework for betting. IBIA hopes that these evidenced-based findings will assist the important ongoing global betting and integrity debate.”

Covering ‘a range of licencing models’ across 20 jurisdictions and six continents, the optimum study collected fiscal and integrity data from multiple regulated betting operators – representing almost 50% of all commercial online betting activity – which feed into the IBIA’s customer account-based integrity system. 

Notably trade association partners involved in the study include the UK’s Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Sweden’s Branscheforenigen för Onlinespel (BOS), Spain’s Jdigital, the Dutch Netherlands Online Gambling Authority (NOGA) and the continental European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA).

David Henwood, Director of H2, remarked: “Our assessment of the various regulatory models in operation around the world has determined the key factors that are most likely to generate a successful well-regulated betting market: unlimited licensing, competitive GGR tax, wide product offering, integrity provisions and balanced advertising parameters. 

“That position and our betting product and integrity evaluation is based on the most extensive and detailed collection of market data that has ever been assembled. The report’s findings are therefore unique and illuminating.”