The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) for Ontario and the wider Canadian market.
The CGA’s MoU with the IBIA will provide a cooperation and coordination framework on betting and related integrity issues, as well as protect the market, sports, consumers, and regulated betting operators, from corrupt activities.
A global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry and representing many of the largest global regulated sports betting operators, the IBIA has recently been accredited by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) as an independent integrity monitor.
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “Protecting the integrity of the betting market in Ontario, and indeed the wider Canadian market, is very important to IBIA and its members.
“We will be seeking to engage with a wide range of key stakeholders on betting and integrity-related issues and see the CGA as a pivotal partner in the achievement of that goal.
“The CGA has been a driving force behind the evolution of regulated betting in Canada and IBIA views it as a valued and critical partner in the continued development of the sector and in placing sporting and betting integrity at the forefront of that.”
Several members of the CGA are also existing IBIA operators. The two trade associations have agreed “to explore and establish cooperative projects and partnerships working in areas of mutual interest”, being equal partners in those projects.
“IBIA will be one of only a handful of sports integrity monitors recognized by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for licensed operators and we believe there is great value in deepening our relationship with the organization,” stated Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association.
“As the CGA looks ahead to the opening of Ontario’s igaming market and the expansion of sports betting products and services across Canada in 2022, the protection of athletes and integrity of sports betting is a key priority.”
The regulated Ontario market is set to open on April 4.
