The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has announced it is launching its integrity monitoring service in the US and Canada.
Endorsed by FanDuel and DraftKings, the IBIA has already secured licenses in several US states including Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Wyoming, with others pending.
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “IBIA is delighted to announce that we are touching down in the North American market. With the largest customer transaction-based betting integrity monitoring system in the world, we will play a crucial role in protecting and supporting the growth of the betting industry in the US and Canada.”
According to H2 Gambling Capital, the North American market handle is expected to reach $96bn this year, and Super Bowl wagers could top $7bn with almost a third through the US regulated sector (2019: 6%).
IBIA’s betting integrity monitoring system aims to ensure the North American market’s integrity is maintained through continued growth.
Ali continued: “IBIA is run by sportsbooks for sportsbooks, and our mission is to provide the best and broadest protective coverage of the market. With the accelerated growth of regulation, existing IBIA members have encouraged the association to extend its global betting integrity coverage to North America, which we are delighted to do.”
As an anti-corruption tool, IBIA’s monitoring and alert platform catches and reports suspicious activity on its members’ betting markets, protecting members and the market from corruption via collective action.
John Sheeran, Director of Risk and Trading, FanDuel Group, stated: “Flutter Entertainment have a long successful working relationship with IBIA’s global integrity monitoring system via our existing agreements through international brands and are proud of the collective improvements in the space.
“Expanding an excellent working relationship to include integrity monitoring of North American sports and wagering will add another element of trust and security to our sports betting product, which we know is of the utmost importance to our consumers.”
Roy Pollitt, DraftKings’ Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs, added: “Protecting the integrity of sport while creating an engaging product for sports fans is at the heart of everything we do. We are impressed with the progress IBIA has made in promoting high standards for the betting industry and we warmly welcome their arrival to North America.”
With FanDuel and DraftKings’ support, over 60% of the US-regulated online market is already being protected by the IBIA. The launch kicks off a process to secure a license in states that require operators to join a monitoring body, as well as to engage with US gambling regulators more generally.
The IBIA has also applied to the Canadian province of Ontario, which also requires operators to be part of an integrity monitoring system.
Earlier this year, the association reported it declared 236 cases of suspicious betting to the relevant authorities during 2021, a 13% reduction on the 270 cases reported in 2020, with 69 alerts in the fourth quarter.
