Hamburg. The Volleyball Bundesliga sees no problem in licensing data scouts. Thomas Melchior objects and files a complaint.
The Volleyball Bundesliga (VBL) has defended its business model regarding the admission of data scouts in the halls for games in the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga for women and men. “The accusation of aiding and abetting illegal gambling is completely absurd and the VBL resolutely rejects it,” said VBL managing director Daniel Sattler.
Genius Sports allows live betting
On October 18th, the Abendblatt reported on the VBL’s contract with the company Genius Sports. Based on this contract, Genius Sports sends data scouts licensed by the VBL to the women’s and men’s games in the two highest volleyball leagues. These record events in real time and also sell the data to international betting providers that they sublicense. In this way, live betting on the games is possible.
The VBL is aware that such live bets are possible, says Sattler. But he doesn’t see this as a problem, but as a contribution to the solution through regulation. “Genius Sports may only pass on the game data and streaming signals to licensed betting providers in licensed betting markets,” he explains. In addition, a screening of volleyball games in the VBL over the past five years revealed no abnormalities in the games.
Managing Director: “Volleyball Bundesliga” not vulnerable
This screening was also carried out by Genius. This is also not a problem for Sattler. “The betting providers have an interest in ensuring that there is no match manipulation. “We trust Genius’ expertise here,” says Sattler. Based on the Genius screening, Sattler rates the VBL games as “not susceptible” to match manipulation. However, the VBL is working on offering preventative training for the players regarding their behavior if they receive offers of match manipulation.
The VBL’s contract with Genius has been running since the 2021/22 season and is still valid until the 2029/30 season. Sattler did not want to provide any information about the amount of payments from Genius to VBL. However, the clubs were fully informed about the contract and its contents. Terminating this is not up for debate.
“No legal violation by the VBL”
“If there are nevertheless violations by betting providers in the betting market,” says Sattler, “it is the common understanding of the VBL and Genius that action should be taken against them. Of course, this is primarily a matter for the public prosecutor’s office and the courts. However, I would like to emphasize once again that the VBL has not committed any legal violation.”
The debate about live betting on the games of the VBL, which is hoping for bets on its games to be approved by the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL) and, according to its own information, expects a commitment from the GGL within the next 14 days, will be Sattler However, you can’t get rid of it so quickly.
Eimsbütteler TV is against live betting
Eimsbüttel TV, whose women and men play in the 2nd Bundesliga and do not receive any money for it, has already made critical comments about possible live bets on their teams’ games. “I’m putting my hand in the fire for our players. They don’t do stupid things in the game for a few bucks. But I still view these live bets critically, as there is also a risk of gambling addiction for the bettors,” explained ETV volleyball coordinator Ulrich Kahl recently.
In addition, the former gambling addict Thomas Melchior, known nationwide as a fighter against the data scouts and live betting, has now informed the police about his findings regarding the actions of the VBL and Genius Sports – and filed a complaint against both the data scouts and Daniel Sattler Managing Director of Volleyball Bundesliga GmbH reimbursed.
Thomas Melchior files a complaint against VBL and data scouts
“What is happening here are clearly violations of the State Treaty on Gambling. Betting on volleyball games is not allowed in Germany. “But this happens through the licensing of data scouts,” says Melchior.
“You can register on various betting sites from Germany and bet on the VBL games without permission. Even with cryptocurrency, which is not on the betting radar and is often used for criminal payment transactions. It is also not permitted to bet on every single point. That is why I am accusing both the VBL and the data scouts who work on behalf of Genius Sports of aiding and abetting illegal gambling.”
Genius remains silent when asked by the Abendblatt
Genius recently left uncommented an inquiry from the Abendblatt as to how Genius Sports ensures compliance with the State Treaty on Gambling by the betting providers to whom the company provides the live data for live betting.
More on the topic
Melchior concludes: “I’m shocked by the VBL’s lack of awareness of the problem. Using data scouts licensed by the VBL, Genius first eliminates the risk of match manipulation by enabling live betting – and then wants to control the betting markets for the VBL. There is a clear conflict of interest here. And I can only laugh at the statement that volleyball is not susceptible to match-fixing.”
