William Hill warns US affiliates over black market activity
Operator warns promotion of unlicensed sites risks account closure for affiliates
William Hill has messaged its US affiliates warning it will close the account of any affiliate found to be promoting unlicensed US operator sites.
The brief message advises affiliates that their accounts will be terminated “immediately” under existing terms and conditions.
William Hill is cracking down on affiliate partners that promote their product outside of the United States alongside unlicensed US operators. As more UK operators enter the regulated US market, expect to see more of this. pic.twitter.com/hCC47P6vHK
— BettingUSA.com (@bettingusa_com) November 28, 2019
William Hill US terms and conditions for affiliates state the company retains the right to “terminate, limit your access to or suspend your remote wagering account, any associated email address, and access to our services” if the affiliate engages in fraudulent or illegal activities.
The decision comes in the same week that the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) issued an advisory bulletin, reminding news, media outlets and other entities about “endorsing or referencing” unauthorised online sportsbook operators.
The DGE criticised unlicensed operators, saying they lack “consumer protections, integrity protocols and money laundering controls”.
In its bulletin, the DGE advised media sites to only source odds information from sites which are licensed in New Jersey or “another jurisdiction” as well as limiting discussions on betting markets when no licensed sources are available.
Affiliates still mentioning these unlicensed operators for any reason are advised by the NJDGE to include a statement confirming the status of the site, directing consumers to the NJDGE’s list of licensed sports betting operators.
It also advises operators not to use hyperlinks which take visitors directly to these illegal sites.
The NJDGE has previously issued similar warnings to operators previously over the promotion of unlicensed affiliate sites, most notably in 2015, when it gave operators 150 days to stop doing so or face “appropriate civil or criminal sanctions”.