Illegal betting in horseracing has been ‘turbocharged’ by technology and the ‘McDonaldisation’ of illegal websites such as Citibet, according to attendees at the Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Sapporo.
James Porteous of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), who was also research head for the Asian Racing Federation’s Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime, was quoted as saying the following by Hong Kong news media during the discussion on said topic:
“Because illegal firms have zero regulatory overheads and zero concerns about reputational or ethical considerations about how they deploy technology to market to consumers, to attract customers and to boost their turnover, we’ve found that the theme of the last two years is that technology has turbocharged illegal betting.”
Porteous pointed out that novel-tech-led marketing had made it easier to access illegal betting sites, while cryptocurrencies have made payment options for such illegal activities easier for both operators and their customers.
Porteous also said that illegal operators like Citibet were even providing would-be bookmakers with training, risk management and odds to pirated live streaming and customer relationship management for as little as $7,000; a process similar to franchising, termed as the ‘McDonaldisation’ of illegal betting.
Technology has clearly also helped horseracing, however, with recent examples being the partnership between ARC and 1/ST and the deal between Sportingtech and BetMakers.
