Liberty boss defends F1's move into betting

Formula One boss Chase Carey has defended the championship following its move into betting, but has also insisted it will be done in a "healthy way".

Back in September, Formula One announced its deal with the Interregional Sports Group to promote new features of in-play betting on the sport, with live data now being used.

This didn't go down too well, though, with many people concerned about F1 linking itself with betting at a period where the relationship between sport and gambling had come under scrutiny.

Carey has defended the championship's decision, and claims it will be done properly.

"With betting, obviously we have responsibilities that go with it," Carey said in an investors' call. "We want to make sure it's done in a healthy way, we want to make sure it's done with proper integrity tools around it.

"But it's clear that fans enjoy it, I think it makes it more interesting, it makes it more exciting.

"As an American, I look at in some ways like Fantasy Football, which is a great enhancement to the NFL (National Football League). Here's a form of fun betting.

"I think that type of engagement in a sport widens its appeal to others, it makes the experience better, and obviously it's business opportunities for us. It's both a sponsorship element and providing a more expanded and interesting set of opportunities to engage with the sport and bet on things that may not be available.

"People can obviously bet on the sport today, so it is not new, but I think we can provide new and interesting ways. We have to make sure we have integrity and disciplines around to make sure that with anything one bets on there is proper oversight, and it's properly policied and maintained."