SINGAPORE, Nov 15 — Online betting with overseas bookmakers is illegal in Singapore.
But there is a company here that offers real-time updates of football games to foreign betting websites, among other clients.
Global Sports Services (GSS), which lists a Singapore address and phone number on its website, transmits information using “reporters” from stadiums worldwide.
The data, sent to betting operators via a call centre, is used to update odds for live betting, known commonly as “in-game betting” or “running ball”.
This is how it works: A GSS reporter goes to a match, armed with a mobile phone. He relays information to the call centre, highlighting critical moments, like a free kick in a dangerous position.
The data is claimed to be transmitted almost instantaneously to clients, allowing them to quickly adjust their odds for the match.
The system, called Real Time Sportscast (RTS), is touted as a must-have for Internet betting operators who normally rely on television feeds for information.
Such feeds are usually delayed by several seconds. By using RTS, the pitch is that bookies can stay ahead of punters who may have access to speedier match updates.
When contacted by The Sunday Times, GSS director and co-founder Justin Nicolson said via e-mail that about 400 to 500 games worldwide are covered each week using RTS.
Competitions like the Spanish La Liga, French First Division and Italian Serie A matches are covered.
He did not reveal how much his company charges, saying only that his clients range from sports betting firms to live-score websites and other sports content providers. None is based in Singapore.
The idea for his business came four years ago when he was working in the “sports data and content provision” industry.
“Having realised that there was a demand for real-time information, as well as Web-based content, I began employing the South American sports writers who already worked for me to report on live games,” he said.
“What began as a sideline to a business I was running at the time, eventually grew into a product in its own right.”
There are more than 1,500 reporters from 80 countries on the GSS database, recruited via online ads in places such as Andorra, New Zealand, Syria and Thailand.
The ads state that no prior experience is required for the job. But applicants must have a complete knowledge of soccer rules, as well as a high standard of spoken English.
Reporters are paid between €30 euros (RM149) and €60 a match. But they buy their own match ticket and pay for their transport costs.
Frenchman Alex Benamar, who has been working as a live match reporter for the last two years, said the job is not simple.
“It is important to remain calm and concentrate when all around you is chaotic ? which is not always easy,” said the 32-year-old. He has covered more than 70 French league games.
The service provided by GSS is not unique. At least two other companies in Europe do the same.
So far, GSS has not run afoul of the law here, where sports betting is heavily regulated.
Singapore Pools, the only legal bookmaker, does not offer live betting on the Internet.
Nicolson, who used to be a sports writer covering Italian football, insisted his business is legitimate. ‘(GSS) doesn’t have an office in Singapore, just a correspondence address.
“We have considered moving our business here in the past and may well move some of it here in the future. We have no concerns about locating our company here given that sports content provision is not illegal.”
But lawyer Bryan Tan, a director at Keystone Law Corporation, pointed out that it is still an offence to manage a business which transmits information about a sports event for the purpose of gambling.
Under the Betting Act, those found guilty could be fined up to S$200,000 (RM480,000) and jailed up to five years.
Said Tan: ‘If they are based here, then they will have serious legal problems.’ — Straits Times
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