Although we have appointed a Data Protection Officer as defined in the GDPR, analyzed certain risks associated with our data processing activities, provided employee training, implemented certain policies and procedures, and continue to review and improve such policies and procedures that are designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, if our privacy or data security measures fail to comply with applicable current or future laws and regulations, we may be subject to fines, litigation, regulatory investigations, enforcement notices requiring us to change the way we use personal data or our marketing practices or other liabilities such as compensation claims by individuals affected by a personal data breach, as well as negative publicity and a potential loss of business. Fines are significant in some countries (e.g., the GDPR introduced fines of up to €20,000,000 or up to 4% of total worldwide annual turnover of the preceding financial year (whichever is higher)) as well as litigation, compensation claims by affected individuals (including class action type litigation where individuals suffer harm), regulatory investigations and enforcement notices requiring us to change the way we use personal data.
In 2021, a group of U.K. football players issued a data subject access request under the GDPR (dubbed “Project Red Card”) to various participants in the sports data and sports betting industries, including the Company, but thus far it has not developed further into litigation. Should it develop into litigation it could significantly alter the way we collect and use sports data relating to players, sports staff and referees and could materially affect the sports data industry as whole.
We may face claims for data rights infringement, which could subject us to monetary damages.
Although we have generally adopted measures to avoid potential infringement of third-party data, streaming, or other properties (“Third Party Property”) in the course of our operations, ownership of certain Third Party Property is not always clear in certain jurisdictions we may operate in, particularly in “gray” jurisdictions which are presently unregulated or partially regulated. Should we face claims relating to us using unlawful sources of Third Party Property, or should we inadvertently infringe on another company’s Third Party Property, or breach any contractual obligations when collecting such Third Party Property in any jurisdiction, we could be subject to claims of infringement, which could be time consuming and expensive to litigate or settle, divert the attention of management and materially disrupt the conduct of our business, and we may not prevail. Any such clams, which could include a claim for injunctive relief and damages, if successful, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.
We may be subject to future litigation or investigations in the operation of our business. Protracted litigation costs could negatively affect our operational costs, and an adverse outcome in one or more proceedings could adversely affect our business.
Future legislative and regulatory action, and court decisions or other governmental action, may have a material impact on our and our customers’ operations and financial results. Governmental authorities could view us, or our customers as, having violated applicable laws or regulations, despite our or their efforts to obtain and maintain all applicable licenses or approvals. There is also a risk that civil and criminal proceedings, including class actions brought by or on behalf of prosecutors or public entities or incumbent providers, or private individuals, could be initiated against us, internet service providers, credit card and other payment processors, advertisers and others involved in sports betting and online gaming industries. Such potential proceedings could involve substantial litigation expense, penalties, fines, seizure of assets, injunctions or other restrictions being imposed upon us or our customers or other business partners, while diverting the attention of key executives, which could have a material adverse effect on our and our customers’ businesses, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as impact our and our customers’ reputation.
We have been party to litigation (see Item 4.B), and we may in the future increasingly face the risk of, claims, lawsuits, investigations, and other proceedings, including those which may involve competition and anti-trust, anti-money laundering, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), gaming, intellectual property, privacy, consumer protection, accessibility claims, securities, tax, labor and employment, commercial disputes, services and other matters. We have in the past employed third party contractors that may operate in countries under U.S. sanctions and, as a result, have been and may continue to be subject to legal proceedings regarding compliance with U.S. sanctions laws. Litigation to defend us against claims by third parties, or to enforce any rights that we may have against third parties, may be necessary, which could result in substantial costs, fines or penalties and diversion of our resources, causing a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Any litigation to which we are a party may result in an onerous or unfavorable judgment that may not be reversed upon appeal, or in payments of substantial monetary damages or fines, the posting of bonds requiring significant collateral, letters of credit or similar instruments, or we may decide to settle lawsuits on similarly unfavorable terms. These proceedings could also result in reputational harm, criminal sanctions, consent decrees or orders preventing us from offering certain products or requiring a change in our business practices in costly ways or requiring development of non-infringing or otherwise altered products or technologies. Litigation and other claims and regulatory proceedings against us could result in unexpected disciplinary actions, expenses and liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. For example, if Project Red Card or a similar action, develops into a legal claim, it could significantly alter the way we collect and use personal data, and could materially affect the sports data industry as whole. Under the terms of our existing contractual arrangements, any adverse judgements could impact the validity of such contractual arrangements and/or our ability to rely on intellectual property rights to prevent third party infringement, which may force us to alter our business strategy and have an adverse effect on our business.
Litigation between third parties may also result in changes in (or interpretation of) law that materially adversely impact our existing business and strategy.
Our failure to comply with the anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and similar laws of the U.K., U.S. and various international jurisdictions could negatively impact our reputation and results of operations.
Doing business on a worldwide basis requires us to comply with anti-corruption laws and regulations imposed by governments around the world with jurisdiction over our operations, which may include the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (“U.K. Bribery Act”), the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the Prevention of Corruption (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2003 (as amended) (the “Guernsey Bribery Law”), as well as the laws of the other countries where we do business. These laws and regulations may restrict our operations, trade practices, investment decisions and partnering activities. The FCPA, the Guernsey Bribery Law, the U.K. Bribery Act and other applicable laws prohibit us and our officers, directors, employees and business
11