Source: REUTERS/ANDREW BOYERS
[Saba Sports News] Swiss broadcaster SRF has
reported that the Stake F1 team may be subjected to a fine of 500,000 Swiss
francs for allegedly violating regulations. Similar to many other countries,
Switzerland has regulations against advertising online gambling establishments.
Patrick Krauskov, a professor at Zurich University of Applied Sciences,
commented that although “sponsorship is allowed,” the close
association between the two brands, Stake and Sauber, might have caused the
word “bet” to become deeply ingrained in viewers’ minds, potentially
crossing the line into unauthorized advertising. The spokesperson for the Stake
F1 team quickly initiated crisis public relations and stated in an interview
that they maintain close communication with the Swiss Commission and strictly
adhere to all regulations, emphasizing that all operations are transparent and
legal. It should be noted that Stake has been a sponsor of the Sauber team
since February 2023. In Sauber’s official press release, Stake is described as
an “entertainment and lifestyle brand.” However, from the editor’s
perspective, this appears to be a contentious issue. Stake.com is a
cryptocurrency gambling platform where users can gamble using cryptocurrencies
instead of traditional currencies. Among the 24 races in the upcoming season,
eight host countries have restrictions on the gambling industry, namely Qatar,
Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bahrain, China, and
Brazil. Consequently, some teams may need to modify their livery for these
particular Grand Prix events.