UK Bettors Challenge EPL Data Provider Over Miscalculation of Football Statistics

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is set to consult with bookmaking industry representatives following reports of potential inaccuracies in settling players’ bets. This issue, as reported by Yogonet, pertains specifically to wagers related to football statistics.

A recent BBC report highlighted instances where bettors were allegedly shortchanged due to discrepancies in the data used by sports betting operators to settle bets.

The crux of the issue lies with the statistics provided by Opta (a subsidiary of Stats Perform), the Premier League’s data provider. Reports suggest that in some games, Opta’s data – specifically metrics like player shots and tackles – did not align with the actual numbers. This data is crucial as it’s used by major British bookmakers, including Paddy Power, Bet365, and William Hill, to settle bets.

UKGC CEO Andrew Rhodes has taken note of these allegations.

Rhodes plans to meet with betting sector representatives to discuss the issue and ensure its resolution.

Meanwhile, Richard Hayler, Managing Director of the Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS), pointed out that in 2023, appeals related to incorrect calculations of bets on football statistics accounted for 15% of the organization’s total workload.