Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

Ottawa – May 16, 2023 – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and McLaren Global Sport Solutions (MGSS) are pleased to announce the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), together with its members bet365, Betway, and FanDuel, as the presenting sponsors of the 2023 Symposium on Competition Manipulation and Gambling in Sport. The sponsors share a commitment to combating betting corruption to protect the integrity of sport and regulated betting markets globally.

As members of IBIA, bet365, Betway, and FanDuel undergo a rigorous due diligence process and must adhere to a code of conduct, committing them to responsible betting practices. IBIA and their partners have played a significant role in the monitoring, investigation, prosecution and sanctioning of parties involved in match-fixing. A not-for-profit association, IBIA is the largest operator-run integrity monitoring body in the world, with over 120 sports-betting brands generating approximately $185 billion CAD (over $137 billion USD) in total wagers placed with operators per annum; the association represents the majority of the betting operators licensed in Ontario.

The goal of the symposium is to develop a common way forward to address the issue of competition manipulation in Canada that will benefit sport and the gaming industry. This approach aligns with the Macolin Convention, the only rule of international law on the manipulation of sports competitions, wherein betting operators, public authorities, integrity service providers and others work in harmony to address competition manipulation. By sponsoring the symposium, IBIA, bet365, Betway, and FanDuel are showing their commitment to the principals of the Macolin Convention. IBIA (then as ESSA) was part of the cross-sector group that assisted with drafting the Macolin Convention and has publicly supported its introduction.

The symposium has attracted registrants from around the world to gather in Toronto, Canada, on May 30-31.

Quotes

“IBIA and its members bet365, Betway and FanDuel are delighted to sponsor the preeminent event in Canada focused on addressing competition manipulation. It forms part of our continuing commitment to exploring the reasons behind, and solutions to, one of the most important issues facing both the Canadian sports sector and responsible regulated betting operators. We look forward to engaging in a constructive debate and to exploring effective cross-sector initiatives,” said Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA.  

“We are grateful to bet365, Betway, FanDuel, and IBIA for sponsoring the symposium. Their commitment to combatting betting corruption will help protect the integrity of sport. We need every stakeholder in the sport gambling business to consider collaborative, innovative solutions to put a stop to match-fixing and competition manipulation, and we appreciate these sponsors stepping up to support this important initiative,” said Jeremy Luke, CCES president and CEO.

“The IBIA and its members share a commitment to responsible betting practices and integrity solutions to combat betting corruption. We are grateful to the IBIA together with bet365, Betway, and FanDuel for their support of the symposium and contributing their knowledge base to the issue of competition manipulation and gambling in sport,” shared Professor Richard McLaren, O.C., CEO of McLaren Global Sport Solutions.

The symposium will take place May 30-31, 2023, at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Canada. Special rates are available for national and multi-sport organizations, athletes, and students and representatives from post-secondary academic institutions. Visit the symposium website for information and to register: www.ethicalsportsymposium.ca.

About the CCES

The CCES works collaboratively to ensure Canadians have a positive sport experience. Through its programs, the CCES manages unethical issues in sport, protects the integrity of Canadian sport, and promotes True Sport to activate values-based sport on and off the field of play. The CCES is an independent, national, not-for profit organization that is responsible for the administration of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. The CCES acknowledges funding, in part, from the Government of Canada. For more information, visit cces.ca, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

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