The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), a leading global betting integrity body, is launching its integrity monitoring services in Canada and the U.S.

A press release explains that the launch is being endorsed by leading U.S. operators FanDuel and DraftKings, and the integrity body has already secured licenses in a number of U.S. states – Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey,  New York, and Wyoming – with others pending. It is currently protecting over 60 per cent of the regulated U.S. online market from betting corruption.

The association has also applied to enter Ontario, which requires operators to be part of an integrity monitoring system as it opens up its iGaming and sports betting market.

The North American launch is the beginning of a process to secure a license in jurisdictions such as Ontario that mandates that operators must be part of a monitoring body, as well as to engage with gambling regulators more generally across the continent.

The release notes that the North American market is the fastest-growing and most dynamic gaming industry in the world and is expected to reach around C$122 billion in handle in 2022 as Canada’s biggest jurisdictional market throws its considerable weight into the booming industry.

IBIA’s world-leading betting integrity monitoring system will play a major role in ensuring the integrity of the North American market, which is essential to maintaining the continued growth of the industry. IBIA anti-corruption platform detects and reports suspicious activity on its members’ betting markets and allows IBIA to protect its members and the betting market from corruption through collective action.

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. 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.”

“Protecting the integrity of sport while creating an engaging product for sports fans is at the heart of everything we do,” said Roy Pollitt, DraftKings’ Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs. “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.”