A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
The agreement will provide a framework for co-operation between IBIA and the CGA on betting and related integrity issues and protect the Ontario and wider Canadian market, sports, consumers and regulated betting operators, from corrupt activities.
The recent changes to the Federal Criminal Code to permit single-event sports wagering has introduced new sports betting offerings to Canadians while bringing enhanced regulatory oversight to sports betting in Canada.
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.”
IBIA is the global voice on integrity for the licensed betting industry and represents many of the largest regulated sports betting operators in the world.
“IBIA will be one of only a handful of sports integrity monitors recognised by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for licensed operators and we believe there is great value in deepening our relationship with the organisation,” said Paul Burns, president and CEO, 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.”