Betting Firms Faced Compliance Risks from SIS Deal
Owners of industry provider SIS may face scrutiny after the firm signed a business deal with an unlicensed bookmaker.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Financial Services
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Major betting operators including Entain, Evoke, Betfred, and the Tote held a collective stake of over 50 percent in SIS, an entity that provided live pictures, data, and commentary while maintaining an undisclosed contract with the operator Santeda. The arrangement resulted in the distribution of tens of millions of pounds in dividends to these firms.
Why it matters
The discovery underscores the compliance risks inherent in complex supply-chain relationships within the gambling sector, specifically regarding B2B partnerships with unlicensed operators. Entain raised the issue to address potential competition law violations and the enforcement of industry licensing standards.
A group of betting firms including Entain, Evoke, Betfred, and the Tote collectively own more than 50 percent of SIS. These firms received tens of millions of pounds in dividends from the provider during the period in which it held a business contract with the operator Santeda.
The players
Entain
A multinational sports betting and gambling company that holds a minority stake in the provider SIS.
SIS
A provider of live pictures, data, and commentary services to the betting industry in the UK and Ireland.
Santeda
A betting operator identified in regulatory documents as an unlicensed entity.
The details
SIS, which supplies live betting data and commentary to the UK and Irish markets, struck a business-to-business agreement with Santeda in 2022. Although regulatory documents from Curacao confirmed the existence of the deal, the parent betting firms reportedly remained unaware due to internal commercial information controls. Entain has since flagged the arrangement to demand greater oversight and adherence to regulatory compliance standards.
Timeline
2022: SIS signed a business-to-business deal with the operator Santeda.
2026: The contract with the unlicensed operator may have remained in effect.
Market Landscape
This situation deviates from the standard regulatory compliance protocols expected under UK gambling industry licensing requirements. It reflects a broader industry challenge where indirect ownership stakes can mask operational associations with unlicensed entities.
Operators with minority stakes in third-party data or service providers should re-evaluate their audit rights regarding downstream B2B contracts. Ensure that internal compliance controls are designed to capture and report business associations with third parties that may operate outside your primary jurisdiction.
The takeaway
The incident serves as a reminder that passive ownership of service providers does not absolve parent firms of the risks associated with their partners' commercial activities. Executives should mandate periodic disclosures of all B2B counterparties to ensure alignment with licensing and regulatory mandates.
Further reading
For broader trends in industry regulation and corporate governance, visit our Financial Services section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Racing Post.
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