The MoU has been signed by both parties to forge a closer working relationship on integrity issues, helping to protect the Canadian casino and sports betting industries, and consumers themselves, from corruption. 

Paul Burns, President and CEO, CGA, commented: “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. 

“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 IBIA, which represents many national and international sports betting operators worldwide, monitors $137bn worth of betting transactions every year. In Canada, the organisation has recently been accredited by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. 

The CGA and the IBIA will work together on a number of projects, including the detection of suspicious betting activities; using detailed market data to investigate and punish corruption; developing education activities to protect the integrity of events and players; ensuring customers use legal betting channels; and supporting other organisations to prevent fraud. 

Khalid Ali, IBIA CEO, 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.”