Indian Premier League Bans Smart Glasses in Restricted Areas Over Insider Betting Risk

^{Pictured: A player wearing smart glasses}

The Indian Premier League’s anti-corruption unit has warned players and team staff that smart glasses are banned in restricted areas at stadiums. The measure is linked to the risk of transmitting insider information that could be used for betting, The Indian Express reported.

The restriction does not apply to ordinary glasses, but to devices equipped with a camera, microphone, speaker and internet connectivity.

Such devices may look like sunglasses or sports glasses, but can record video, stream live footage, receive messages and allow communication with people outside the stadium.

The league’s anti-corruption unit is responsible for protecting the tournament from match-fixing, unauthorised contact with players and the disclosure of confidential information to third parties.

The restriction applies to areas used by players, match officials and other accredited personnel. These include dressing rooms, team areas by the field, operational areas and other restricted-access parts of stadiums.

Under tournament rules, such glasses are treated as audio and video recording devices as well as communication devices. Before entering a restricted area, players and staff must hand them over to security personnel along with mobile phones and smartwatches.

The measures matter for the betting market because of the risk of insider betting. A person in a restricted area may learn about an injury, substitution, team selection or other details before they become public, potentially affecting betting odds.

If such information is transmitted quickly outside the venue, it could be used for betting before bookmakers have time to adjust their odds.

The league believes the development of wearable devices creates new risks to the integrity of competitions. Organisers are therefore tightening controls on gadgets that players and team staff may bring into restricted areas during matches.