SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The European Sports Security Association (ESSA) has openly welcomed the sports integrity proposals put forward by the International Olympic Committee at the first ever International Forum for Sports Integrity (IFSI) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The IOC has drawn up its latest series of wide-ranging recommendations in partnership with key stakeholders, including ESSA and the regulated betting sector. Adopted at IFSI, these proposals build on the success of previous measures combatting fraud agreed at preceding meetings such as the Founding Working Group on the Fight against Irregular and Illegal Betting in Sport
The IOC aims to uphold sports integrity by extending the reach of education programs and creating national integrity platforms. The IOC and IFSI further outlined that it needed better cooperation between international markets.
“We are pleased we could be part of this initiative. These measures are an important milestone in the drive by sporting bodies and the regulated betting industry to keep sport clean and protect consumers, regulated betting operators and athletes from unscrupulous activities,” said Mike O’Kane, ESSA chairman.
He added: “They underline the breadth and depth of international support among stakeholders for the IOC’s initiatives in promoting sporting integrity and for joint action to combat match-fixing and other fraudulent activities. Cooperation between all interested parties is crucial.”
This week the IOC and IFSI announced the launch of the Integrity & Compliance Hotline for stakeholders in professional sports, which will aim to report violations or misconducts which directly affect sports integrity. The users of the Hotline will be guaranteed 100% anonymity, and will be accessible through all communication verticals.
