After the controversy generated, Maldita.es wanted to inaugurate its Twitch channel with the broadcast "Maldita Twitchería: How they fool us with betting". Led by Clara Jiménez Cruz, CEO of Maldita.es, and Carlos Hernández Echevarría, Public Policy coordinator, and a lineup of guests, the live stream addressed sports scams, the addictions they generate and the legislation surrounding them.
Malbert: “They have called me to promote even shapewear”
As could not be otherwise, influencers had to be present in the debate and, for that, content creator Malbert joined the Maldita.es live stream on Twitch. The influencer said that he has been observing for some time how certain profiles with millions of followers on social networks take advantage of their visibility to advertise scams and fake luxury products.
He himself recounted that on multiple occasions misleading advertising brands have approached him to promote products that had nothing to do with his audience: “They have even called me to promote shapewear,” he said with a laugh. In addition, Malbert was critical of those influencers “with little ethics” who decide to enter into this system of misleading advertising and argued that they were “not victims at all.”
What is a tipster and what is behind it?
Focusing on sports betting and the influencers who promote the Telegram channels where it takes place, Daniel from the channel @TipsterTrust joined the Maldita.es Twitch live stream. As he explained, tipsters are people who dedicate themselves to studying sports matches, making predictions, looking for the best bets on them and offering, both free of charge and for a fee, this information to their followers.
Although within this business there are tipsters who carry out their sports analyses professionally, Daniel said that the percentage of those who dedicate themselves to scamming their followers and profiting from this business is “much higher”, pretending, as he explained, a life of luxury to attract more people. In fact, Maldita.es included in its live stream the testimony of Ramón (fictitious name) who recounted how he was deceived by a tipster who claimed to have privileged information in sports betting and who charged 1,000 euros for a service of 30 predictions in table tennis. In response to this testimony, Daniel explained that, normally, all the people who enter this business do so with false hopes thinking that it is an easy way to make money.
Different legislation depending on the autonomous communities
Data could not be missing from this live stream and that is why Sergio Sangiao, coordinator of Maldito Dato at Maldita.es, joined Clara Jiménez Cruz and Carlos Hernández-Echevarría to explain the different legislations that apply in each region of Spain. The data show that in cities such as Madrid the number of betting shops is eight times higher than in Barcelona (416 compared to 51).
The role of the police in the fight against sports scams: education and prevention
Authorities were also present at the launch of the Maldita.es Twitch channel. Police officer Ana Riveiro explained during the live stream how the State Security Forces fight crime and fraud offenses through education in schools. Riveiro, who is part of the Plan Director for Coexistence and Improvement of Security in Educational Centers and their Surroundings, under the Central Unit for Citizen Participation, explained that for young people to protect themselves on the Internet they only need to follow the “same old” advice: “The typical ‘don’t talk to strangers’ also applies here,” she pointed out.
As she noted, the problem with this type of crime is that when people turn to the police it is already “too late”; therefore, Riveiro emphasized the importance of prevention through education in the digital environment.
The Gambling Law and the possible infringements committed during sports betting scams
To address sports betting and its regulation in the legal field, sports law expert lawyer Irene Aguiar joined the Maldita.es Twitch stream. As she explained to viewers, until last November, the field of online sports betting advertising was unregulated. However, currently the sanctions for those who commit this type of offense can reach up to 5 million euros.
Facu Díaz: “I have had several experiences with sports betting advertising”
Presenter and communicator Facu Díaz also wanted to join Maldita.es’ first broadcast on Twitch to share his experience regarding betting shop advertising. As he explained, various companies offered him the possibility of inserting sports betting ads during the broadcast of “No te metas en política”, the podcast he hosts together with comedian Miguel Maldonado. And, although he repeatedly rejected the offer, he emphasized the persistence of these advertising companies.
@SrCheeto: "I have friends who have had problems with gambling and for me it is a very big scourge"
The YouTuber @Srcheeto also joined Facu Díaz during the broadcast to share his experience with betting shop advertising on the Internet. According to the content creator, from his personal perspective, it is necessary for YouTubers to distance themselves from this type of advertising due to the danger it poses for users with gambling addiction, something that, as he explained, he has experienced very closely.
How is covert gambling advertising on social networks being tackled?
From institutions, some actions are also being taken to combat covert gambling advertising on social networks. However, as Mikel Arana, Director General for the Regulation of Gambling, explained during the live broadcast, the main problem that arises is “the immensity of the Internet” and the speed at which it advances.
Despite the actions that the Gambling Regulation authority is carrying out, Arana pointed out that, for the moment, it is not up to them to sanction betting companies that set limits on winnings since it is “a private contract between the betting company and the bettor.”
FACUA’s response to covert sports betting advertising on Instagram accounts
In relation to the last point raised by Mikel Arana and representing consumers, FACUA spokesperson Rubén Sánchez highlighted that “if it is understood that there is a consumer relationship between the betting company and the bettor, this limit on the winner could mean an abusive clause due to imbalance between the parties.”
Likewise, Sánchez explained the reasons behind the complaint that FACUA filed with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs over covert sports betting advertising on influencers’ Instagram accounts.
Guillermo Martín: “They take advantage of the fact that my account is about pharmacy and that I have more credibility to offer me this type of advertising”
One of the last guests to join the Maldita.es Twitch live stream was Guillermo Martín, the Twitter user behind the account @Farmaenfurecida. As he explained, many advertising companies have offered him the opportunity to promote this type of covert scam, also taking advantage of the credibility he projects due to his profession.
The effect of online gambling advertising on minors
To close the debate, journalist Silvia Oramas and Eulalia Alemany, technical director of the Fundación de Ayuda contra la Drogadicción (FAD), joined the discussion to analyze both the effect of gambling advertising on minors and young people and the location of betting shops near schools.