British firm has become the first bookmaker with both an online and offline operation to become a member of industry monitoring group.
Wednesday 17th February 2010
British betting giant Ladbrokes has become the world’s first bookmaker with both an online and an offline operation to join the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) monitoring group.
Brussels-based ESSA is an industry body committed to legal and responsible sportsbetting and works to keep wagering free from insider betting or bet rigging and manipulation.
“The European Sports Security Association is dedicated to improving the sharing of information between betting operators and sports bodies,” said Mike O'Kane, Trading Director for Ladbrokes.
“Currently, the issue is surrounded by rumour and sensationalism whereas in reality the incidence of betting corruption in sport is minimal. By giving regulators and sporting bodies a full and accurate picture of unusual betting patterns, we can assist them in protecting the integrity and reputation of both sport and its participants.”
Founded by some of the world’s leading online sportsbooks in 2005, the ESSA has agreements in place with the International Football Federation, the Union of European Football Associations, the European Professional Football Leagues, the Football Association, the German Football League, the Association of Tennis Professionals, the International Tennis Federation and the Women's Tennis Association alongside close relations with the International Olympic Committee and many other global sports regulators. The group aims to be an early-warning system by providing regulators with information regarding unusual betting patterns or irregularities.
“This is an important step to ensuring ESSA becomes the industry standard organisation that has the support of both online and offline operators,” said Khalid Ali, Secretary General for the ESSA.
“We welcome Ladbrokes and we are sure it has an important contribution to developing industry-wide standards in this area. We would urge all operators in the industry, online and offline, to work with ESSA.”
