July 27, 2012

European bookmakers pledge to support fair Olympics

Europe’s leading online sports betting operators have said that they will suspend or void Olympic bets if instructed to do so by the UK Gambling Commission, as part of their commitment to keeping the games free from corruption and match fixing.

The European Sports Security Association (ESSA), whose members comprise the leading online sports book operators in Europe, says it is working closely with the British Gambling Commission and the IOC to support the sports and betting integrity of the games.

The Association said its members will offer bets on any Olympic event and will monitor and report all unusual betting patterns and any identified breaches of IOC rules to the UK Gambling Commission’s Sports Betting Integrity Unit.

ESSA members will also take steps to ensure that no bets are knowingly taken from IOC accredited individuals and that senior personnel manage their internal systems and offer a 24-hour reporting service.

“ESSA and our members will make sure that everything possible is done to make sure that the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games are free from corruption and match fixing,” said ESSA secretary general Khalid Ali. “We are all looking forward to a tremendous sporting competition that will be enjoyed by millions around the world.”

As part of its commitment to sports integrity, ESSA has signed over 20 memorandums of understanding with leading international sports governing bodies, including FIFA, UEFA, the IOC, the ATP as well as national gambling regulators in jurisdictions including Alderney, Gibraltar, Malta and the UK.

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