Press Releases
Risking more than bets: data privacy concerns in leading betting apps for Super Bowl LVIII
With Super Bowl LVIII fever gripping the US, millions of sports fans are flocking to mobile betting apps for a piece of the action. But beneath the thrill of the game lies a troubling reality: many users are unwittingly gambling with not just their money, but also their personal data. The latest Incogni research uncovers some concerning practices of the most popular betting services. DraftKings emerges as the frontrunner when it comes to extensive data collection, while Caesars stands out as the most generous when sharing usersâ data with third parties.
For years, sports betting was heavily restricted due to multiple scandals. However, legislation enacted in the past decade has opened the possibility of making new bets across multiple states. Given the buzz around the 2024 Super Bowl, concerns over data privacy loom larger than ever.
Incogni, a personal data protection company, conducted research that sheds light on the data collection and sharing practices of the 7 most popular betting apps. Researchers analyzed 15 data-point categories to understand the scope of their data collection and sharing practices to better understand the risks involved for users. The findings are concerning: user data is extensively collected and shared, often without clear disclosure or transparency in privacy policies.
DraftKings emerged as the frontrunner when it comes to data collection by gathering 22 data points from users, including precise location, photos, videos, contacts, files, and messages. Close behind it are Caesars, Sky Bet, and William Hill, gathering 17 data points each, including sensitive information such as precise location, in-app search history, health information, purchase histories, and credit scores, which may extend to bank account, debt, and mortgage information. FanDuel follows with 14 data points, including precise and approximate location, as well as information on installed apps.
Caesars stands out for its extensive data-sharing practices. It shares 14 data points with third parties, including precise location and search history. Meanwhile, FanDuel shares “other info,” which, according to Google’s support pages, can include â any other personal information such as date of birth, gender identity, veteran status, etc.â Some data collection and sharing with third parties is understandable, as they are necessary to provide the service or proceed with payments. Nevertheless, these numbers of data points seem excessive. Unfortunately, the privacy policies of many betting apps can be unclear, raising questions about what data is actually collected and shared.
Among all investigated betting apps, BetMGM claims not to collect or share any data. This is rare among betting apps, and might be attributed to the fact that Google can only partially monitor whether data collection or sharing disclosures are correct.
Given that data breaches and hacking attacks have affected more than half of the investigated apps, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars, the risks of giving up any data can be severe. These findings underscore the need for users to be cautious when engaging with betting apps, especially during events like the Super Bowl, where heightened activity may attract malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in these platforms.
“As consumers increasingly rely on mobile applications for entertainment and engagement, it should be a priority for developers and regulatory bodies to protect user privacy and data security. Clear and transparent privacy policies, stricter data protection measures, and proactive steps to reduce the risks of data breaches are essential in building trust and confidence among users” – underlines Darius Belejevas, Head of Incogni.
Having identified the top sports betting platforms in the US and UK, Incogni researchers collected information about their apps from the Google Play Store. In cases where several apps were published by the same company or with similar names, apps used for sports betting were prioritized.
QTech Games, the leading games distributor for all emerging markets, has appointed David Camacho to the new role of Account Manager for LatAm Markets.
Camacho arrives at QTech Games after a successful and long-serving spell at Tabella, a global powerhouse across varied igaming verticals, where he proved himself across a range of senior roles focusing on the LatAm markets. At QTech Games, David will drive sales and its existing presence across Central and South America, growing its global footprint in more Spanish and Portuguese-speaking territories.
QTech Games commented: âWeâre delighted that David is now part of the QTech team. His extensive experience and network in the industry are second to none, after over two decades in the sector. So, he will prove a true asset to both QTech Games and all our clients, as we will deepen our existing influence across Hispanic markets in Central and South America.
âRecruiting the best localised talent and expertise has always been a central pillar of our strategy. Therefore, weâre naturally thrilled to have David on board.
David Camacho added: âIâm excited to be joining QTech Games, a company with the most remarkable content suite across varied igaming verticals, all delivered via a stellar platform built on bleeding-edge technology. I canât wait to get started by deploying my business connections and contacts across a region I know so well at such a crucial point in its maturation.
âOf course, when it comes to LatAm, everyoneâs talking about the unfolding scene in Brazil, but Iâll also be concentrating our efforts in more mature countries such as Colombia and Mexico, alongside some other opportunities in Peru, another promising territory with one of the most operator-friendly regulations in recent times. Argentina and Chile will also be interesting in due course. Apart from the strong growth in this region, I believe we will be able to fuel it further with our new QTech Hybrid product that fits perfectly in all these markets!â
QTech Hybrid â get in touch to find out more!
QTech Hybrid will next be showcased at the upcoming SBWA+ show in Ghana in August, where QTech Games delegates will be on site to unpack its breakout technology and salient applications for joining up the retail and digital-mobile experience. QTech Hybrid offers a retail solution that can be transferred seamlessly to mobile in any emerging market, enabling the customer to continue playing after leaving the retail environment. QTech Hybrid allows players to access the full game library of QTech Games, while the retail solution also contains a state-of-the-art Agent Management System. Itâs also an instant win for efficient payments.Â
BETBY strengthens its Latin American position with agreement to power leading Brazilian brand Pixbet
BETBY, the premium sports betting supplier, has signed a long-term sports betting agreement with Pixbet. The partnership will see Pixbet leverage Betbyâs award-winning sports betting solution and services to upgrade its current sportsbook, offering Brazilians a best-in-class online betting experience.
Pixbet a leading Brazilian bookmaker present throughout the national territory, is well known for its bold marketing strategy, having earlier this year been announced as the new shirt sponsor for Brazilian soccer club Flamengo under a lucrative two-year deal.
Chris Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at Betby, said: âIt is a pleasure to have put pen to paper on this agreement with Pixbet, an operator whose management team boasts clear expertise and a passion for sports betting that mirrors our own.
âThis agreement further bolsters Betbyâs impressive range of partners throughout Brazil and Latin America, and we are excited to capitalise on the rich promise this partnership holds.â
Ernildo Junior, owner of Pixbet, said: âWe are very pleased to have signed with Betby as we look to further deliver on our sports betting ambitions to become the leading betting brand in Brazil.
âBetby has a proven track record in Latin America and its suite of high-performance sportsbook technology will provide our players with a superior sports betting experience whilst providing us with cutting-edge risk management tools.â
Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $568.5 million on sports in May of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 25.9% increase when compared to May of 2023.
The state collected approximately $4.3 million in privilege fees in the month.
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