RFL Sign Memorandum Of Understanding With Betfair
The Rugby Football League has confirmed that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Betfair - the world’s leading online betting exchange - with the aim of ensuring the continued integrity of Rugby League in the area of sports betting.
The terms of the agreement allow the RFL to access a greater level of information than they have previously been able to obtain from the betting industry. Specifically, the RFL will be able to request information, which will identify individuals behind any activity, which has given rise to strong suspicion that corruption may have taken place.
As Rugby League betting continues to grow rapidly in popularity, this partnership with Betfair represents an important step to ensure that Rugby League’s traditionally high-standards continue in the future.
As the market-leading betting exchange, Betfair are uniquely placed to monitor the Rugby League betting market and to assist the RFL.
Commenting on the agreement, The Rugby Football League’s Chief Operating Officer Nigel Wood said: “This Memorandum of Understanding represents an important step forward for Rugby League.
“Whilst we do not believe inappropriate betting is a major problem in the sport, we feel it is important to take advantage of enhanced monitoring of the betting markets in order to prevent and discourage any persons considering such activity”.
“We recognise Betfair’s position as a market leader in the field of online betting exchanges and we believe our partnership will be of great value to the sport – as it has been to the many governing bodies who already work with them.”
Mark Davies, Betfair’s Director of Communications, said, “We are delighted to be able to widen the breadth of agreements we have with the governing bodies of sport.
“Working closely with administrators, and allowing them access to the information we have, is the best way to ensure that sport is kept free of crime. Betfair has no vested interest in the outcome of any event and our interests are absolutely in line with those who run the events. This is good news for the integrity of sport.”
The agreement will operate in a similar manner to those previously agreed by Betfair with the Jockey Club, the ATP, the ICC, the FA, Cricket Australia, and the Darts Regulatory Authority.
Notes to Editors:
1. Betfair (http://www.betfair.com/) was the first person-to-person betting exchange. A betting exchange allows punters to bet on prices set by punters themselves rather than by a bookmaker, which, by one independent study, results in Betfair’s odds being 20% better than bookmakers’ starting prices.
2. Betfair was launched in June 2000 and is already the UK’s No 1 online betting company. At peak times the exchange matches up to 12,000 bets a minute and over 1,000,000 bets a day.
3. The company’s co-founders – former professional gambler Andrew Black and former JPMorgan vice-president Edward Wray – were jointly voted Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2002. In April 2003 Betfair won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.
4. In 2003, Betfair was the 3rd most prolific sponsor of horse races in the UK. The company was the 2002/3 shirt sponsor of the Premiership’s Fulham FC.
5. Strategic investors in Betfair include Benchmark Capital, UBS Capital, JPMorgan Chase.
For further regarding Betfair information please visit http://www.betfair.com/ or ring Communications, on 020 8834 8000.
Issued by the Rugby Football League Media Department
Sovereign House
South Parade
Leeds
LS1 5QL.
Tel: 0113 244 1114.
Fax: 0113 244 1110.
E-mail: andrew.whitelam@rfl.uk.com or john.huxley@rfl.uk.com
Andrew Whitelam
Media Manager
The Rugby Football League
Tel: (01132) 441 114 / (07770) 993366
Fax: (01132) 441 110
E-Mail: andrew.whitelam@rfl.uk.com