In-Play and Live Betting Regulations in the EU

Understanding In-Play Betting and Its Regulatory Challenges

In-play betting represents one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing segments of the European sports betting market. According to the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), live betting now accounts for over 60% of all sports betting turnover in regulated European markets, reflecting a dramatic shift in how consumers engage with sports wagering.

Unlike traditional pre-match betting where players place wagers before an event begins, in-play betting allows continuous wagering throughout the duration of a sporting event. Odds update in real-time to reflect the current score, time remaining, momentum shifts, and other factors. This creates a dynamic and engaging experience but also introduces unique regulatory challenges that EU member states have addressed through various mechanisms.

The core regulatory concerns surrounding in-play betting fall into three categories: sports integrity protection, consumer protection, and responsible gambling. Each EU member state has developed its own approach to these challenges, resulting in a patchwork of regulations that operators must navigate carefully when offering cross-border services.

Sports Integrity: Courtsiding and Match-Fixing Concerns

One of the primary drivers of in-play betting regulation is the need to protect sports integrity. The Council of Europe's Macolin Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions specifically addresses the risks that betting, including live betting, poses to competition integrity. Most EU member states have either ratified or are signatories to this convention, which shapes their approach to in-play betting oversight.

The Courtsiding Problem

Courtsiding refers to the practice of individuals attending sporting events in person and using the time advantage they gain over broadcast viewers to place bets on outcomes they have already witnessed. Because there is typically a delay of 5-30 seconds between a live event and its broadcast, someone present at the venue can see a goal, point, or other outcome before online viewers and bookmakers can react.

This practice exploits a fundamental timing asymmetry in live betting markets. While not illegal in all jurisdictions, courtsiding undermines market integrity and can result in significant losses for operators. Several regulatory approaches have emerged to combat this practice:

• Mandatory bet delays: Requiring a delay between bet placement and acceptance, giving operators time to update odds
• Venue restrictions: Working with sports organizations to prohibit mobile device use for betting at venues
• Suspicious betting pattern detection: Monitoring for bets that consistently exploit timing advantages
• Data feed licensing: Requiring operators to use official, low-latency data feeds

Match-Fixing and Information Asymmetry

In-play betting markets are particularly vulnerable to match-fixing because corrupt actors can profit from pre-arranged outcomes during live play. A player who knows that a specific event will occur at a certain point in a match can place precisely timed bets on live markets. The match-fixing and sports integrity frameworks across EU member states specifically address in-play betting as a high-risk area requiring enhanced monitoring.

Regulators have responded by requiring operators to implement sophisticated monitoring systems that track live betting patterns in real-time. Organizations like IBIA (International Betting Integrity Association) operate alert systems that notify regulators and sports governing bodies when suspicious betting patterns emerge during live events.

Country-by-Country Analysis of In-Play Betting Rules

Each EU member state has developed its own framework for regulating in-play betting. The following analysis covers the key requirements in major regulated markets.

Germany: Strict Restrictions Under GlüStV 2021

Germany's Interstate Treaty on Gambling (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021) imposes some of the strictest in-play betting regulations in Europe. Under the German framework administered by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL):

• No combination bets during live play: Players cannot place accumulator or parlay bets on in-play markets. Each live bet must be a single wager on a single outcome.
• Event-based restrictions: Live betting is limited to specific event types and outcomes. Betting on player-specific events (e.g., next card recipient) may be restricted.
• Monthly deposit limits apply: The EUR 1,000 monthly deposit limit applies across all betting activities including live wagers.
• Enhanced monitoring: Operators must implement real-time monitoring systems and report suspicious activity to the GGL.

The German restrictions on live combination bets are particularly significant as they fundamentally change the product offering available to German bettors compared to other European markets. This reflects Germany's harm reduction approach, recognizing that combination bets carry higher risk of significant losses.

Spain: DGOJ Requirements for In-Play Markets

Spain's gambling regulator, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), permits in-play betting under license conditions that emphasize consumer protection. Key requirements include:

• Real-time data requirements: Operators must use verified, official data sources for in-play odds calculation
• Session time notifications: Mandatory reality checks during extended live betting sessions
• Advertising restrictions: Strict limitations on promoting in-play betting features in marketing materials following the 2020 advertising decree
• Sports integrity reporting: Mandatory reporting of suspicious patterns to DGOJ and relevant sports federations

Spain's advertising restrictions apply with particular force to in-play betting, where promotional messaging that encourages impulsive wagering is prohibited.

Italy: ADM Framework for Live Betting

Italy's Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) regulates in-play betting through a comprehensive licensing framework. Italian regulations require:

• Approved event lists: In-play betting is only permitted on events appearing on ADM's approved list, which is regularly updated
• Mandatory delays: Technical requirements for bet acceptance delays to prevent courtsiding
• Margin reporting: Operators must report their live betting margins to ADM for monitoring purposes
• Player protection tools: Enhanced self-exclusion and limit-setting features specifically for live betting

Netherlands: KSA Approach to Live Wagering

Since the Netherlands opened its regulated online gambling market in October 2021, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has developed specific guidance for in-play betting operations. Under the Remote Gambling Act:

• Strict verification requirements: Enhanced KYC verification before players can access live betting markets
• Responsible gambling integration: In-play betting interfaces must prominently display spending, time played, and session information
• Cooling-off functionality: Players must be able to pause live betting activity immediately
• Data protection compliance: Real-time betting data handling must comply with GDPR requirements

France: ANJ Supervision of In-Play Markets

France's Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) oversees in-play betting as part of its broader sports betting mandate. Historically, France had stricter limitations on in-play betting, but reforms have gradually expanded the permitted scope:

• Approved sports and events: In-play betting is limited to sports and competitions approved by ANJ
• Integrity monitoring: Mandatory participation in sports betting monitoring systems
• Consumer protection measures: Reality checks and loss limit tools required for live betting interfaces
• Prohibited bet types: Certain granular in-play markets (e.g., next minor foul) may be restricted

Technical Requirements for In-Play Betting Operations

Operating a compliant in-play betting service in the EU requires significant technical infrastructure. Regulators across member states have established requirements addressing latency, data integrity, and system resilience.

Data Feed Requirements

Most regulated markets require operators to use official or approved data feeds for in-play betting. These feeds must meet specific criteria:

• Low latency: Data must be transmitted with minimal delay to enable accurate odds calculation
• Verified accuracy: Data providers must demonstrate accuracy standards and error correction procedures
• Audit trail: Complete logging of all data received and odds adjustments made
• Redundancy: Backup data sources must be available to prevent service interruption

The software testing and certification requirements that apply to gambling platforms generally have enhanced provisions for real-time betting systems.

Bet Acceptance and Delay Mechanisms

To combat courtsiding and ensure fair markets, operators must implement bet acceptance controls:

These delays represent industry practice; specific regulatory requirements may mandate longer or shorter delays depending on the jurisdiction and risk assessment.

System Availability and Resilience

Given the time-critical nature of in-play betting, regulators often impose specific availability requirements. Technical standards from bodies like gambling technical standards organizations address:

• Uptime requirements: Systems must maintain high availability during live events
• Failover procedures: Automatic market suspension if primary systems fail
• Bet settlement accuracy: Procedures for settling bets when system failures occur during events
• Player communication: Clear notification when live markets are temporarily unavailable

Consumer Protection in Live Betting Environments

In-play betting presents heightened consumer protection challenges because the fast-paced, continuous nature of live wagering can encourage impulsive decisions and loss-chasing behavior. EU regulators have responded with specific measures targeting these risks.

Reality Checks and Session Notifications

Extended in-play betting sessions can cause players to lose track of time and spending. Most regulated EU markets now require operators to implement reality check systems that interrupt play at defined intervals. For live betting, these requirements may be more stringent:

• More frequent notifications: Reality checks may be required every 30-60 minutes during active live betting compared to longer intervals for other products
• Session summary display: Notifications must show total time played, total wagered, and net win/loss for the session
• Active confirmation: Players must actively acknowledge the notification before continuing

Deposit and Loss Limits

The deposit limit frameworks that apply across EU markets are particularly important for in-play betting, where rapid betting can quickly deplete available funds. Key considerations include:

• Real-time limit tracking: Systems must track spending against limits in real-time, not just at deposit
• In-play specific limits: Some jurisdictions allow or require separate limits for live betting
• Cross-operator limits: Germany's LUGAS system ensures deposit limits apply across all licensed operators

Cooling-Off and Self-Exclusion

The ability to immediately pause or stop gambling is critical during live betting sessions. Self-exclusion systems must accommodate the real-time nature of in-play betting:

• Immediate effect: Self-exclusion must take effect immediately, suspending any pending live bets where permitted
• Cross-market coverage: Self-exclusion should apply to all betting markets, not just the market where it was initiated
• Cooling-off periods: Cooling-off requirements for limit increases apply equally to in-play betting

Advertising and Promotion of In-Play Betting

The promotion of in-play betting is subject to the general gambling advertising restrictions that apply in each EU member state, but several jurisdictions have implemented additional requirements specifically for live betting promotion.

Restrictions on Urgency Messaging

Advertising that creates artificial urgency around in-play betting is restricted in several markets:

• Countdown timers: Promotional use of countdown timers suggesting limited-time in-play opportunities may be prohibited
• Live odds promotion: Some jurisdictions restrict advertising that prominently features fluctuating live odds
• Push notification limits: Direct marketing regulations may restrict push notifications about live betting during events

Sponsorship and Broadcasting

The intersection of in-play betting and sports broadcasting creates unique promotional opportunities that regulators scrutinize closely:

• In-broadcast promotion: Live odds displays during sports broadcasts are banned or restricted in several EU markets
• Presenter endorsements: Sports commentators promoting in-play betting features is generally prohibited
• Shirt sponsorship: Sports betting sponsorship rules apply to all betting products including in-play

In-Play Betting and Responsible Gambling

The responsible gambling implications of in-play betting are significant. Research published in the Journal of Gambling Studies has identified several risk factors specific to live betting:

• Increased engagement: The continuous action of live betting can extend gambling sessions beyond intended limits
• Loss chasing: The ability to immediately bet again after a loss facilitates chasing behavior
• Emotional decision-making: Real-time events can trigger impulsive bets based on excitement rather than analysis
• Cognitive distortions: The illusion of skill may be enhanced when betting on events as they unfold

These factors have led to calls for enhanced harm reduction measures specifically targeting in-play betting. The operator requirements for responsible gambling tools are particularly important in live betting contexts.

Behavioral Monitoring

Several EU regulators now require operators to implement behavioral monitoring systems that can identify potentially harmful in-play betting patterns:

• Session length tracking: Flagging unusually long continuous betting sessions
• Bet frequency analysis: Identifying players placing bets at unusual frequency
• Loss chasing detection: Algorithms that detect escalating bet sizes following losses
• Time-of-day patterns: Monitoring for late-night extended betting sessions

Cross-Border Considerations for In-Play Betting

Operators offering in-play betting across multiple EU member states face significant compliance challenges due to the variation in regulatory requirements. The cross-border gambling framework requires operators to implement geo-location systems that not only verify player location but also apply jurisdiction-specific rules to in-play betting.

Geo-Location and Market Access

Accurate geo-location verification is essential for in-play betting compliance:

• Real-time verification: Player location should be verified throughout live betting sessions, not just at login
• Market availability: Certain in-play markets may be available in some jurisdictions but not others
• Regulatory reporting: In-play betting activity may need to be reported to multiple regulators

Licensing Implications

The licensing requirements for offering in-play betting vary by jurisdiction. Some key considerations:

• Separate approvals: Some jurisdictions require specific approval for in-play betting features beyond the general sports betting license
• Technical certification: In-play betting systems may require additional technical certification
• Ongoing compliance: Compliance audits may include specific review of in-play betting controls

Future Trends in In-Play Betting Regulation

Several trends are likely to shape the future of in-play betting regulation across the EU:

Enhanced Data Requirements

Regulators are increasingly focused on the data that powers in-play betting markets. Future requirements may include:

• Official data mandates: Requirements to use only official league or federation data for odds calculation
• Data provider licensing: Separate licensing requirements for companies providing live sports data to betting operators
• Latency standards: Regulated maximum delays between real-world events and betting market updates

AI and Automated Monitoring

The role of artificial intelligence in gambling regulation is expanding, with particular relevance for in-play betting:

• Real-time integrity monitoring: AI systems that can detect suspicious betting patterns across multiple operators simultaneously
• Player protection algorithms: Machine learning models that identify at-risk betting behavior in real-time
• Automated market suspension: Systems that can automatically suspend markets when integrity concerns are detected

Harmonization Efforts

While gambling regulation remains a national competence in the EU, there are ongoing discussions about greater harmonization of certain aspects, including sports integrity measures that directly affect in-play betting. The EU gambling regulatory cooperation frameworks continue to evolve, potentially leading to more consistent approaches to live betting oversight.