Operator News

US – US operators form Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association

By Phil - 28 November 2018

MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment have led the formation of the non-profit Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association (SWIMA) that will partner with other regulators, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to identify betting fraud.

The association is a not-for-profit organisation designed as a collaborative entity to partner with state and tribal gaming regulators; federal, state and tribal law enforcement; and other various stakeholders to detect and discourage fraud and other illegal or unethical activity related to betting on sporting events.

SWIMA’s principal goal is to protect consumers, operators and other stakeholders from potential fraud caused by the unfair manipulation of events on which betting is offered. The association said that reaching this goal requires a multi-jurisdictional approach with operators in different states and tribal jurisdictions sharing information related to unusual or suspicious activity in their sports betting operations within and between different markets and, when appropriate, with gaming regulators and law enforcement.

George Rover, former New Jersey Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Director of the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement, has been appointed as SWIMA’s Chief Integrity Officer where he will oversee day-to-day operations.

Mr. Rover said: ““We are excited to roll out the first Integrity Monitoring Association in the United States, ensuring a safe and secure betting environment for consumers across the country. We look forward to partnering with gaming regulators and law enforcement in all states that legalize sports betting to undermine fraud and manipulation and protect the integrity of sports betting.”

David Rebuck, the Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, added: “Every operator who has unusual or suspicious activity that they see—whether it be fraud or potential match-fixing—is required to notify every other operator and required to notify the gaming regulator, who will then notify law enforcement, if need be, and will also notify the leagues, if it impacts them.”

MGM Resorts Chief Compliance Officer Stephen Martino, and Caesars’ EVP of Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility, Jan Jones, will serve as inaugural trustees.

MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren added: “We’re quite proud of efforts in responsible gaming and problem gaming issues, and that’s an area that we focus on quite a bit. We can assure that we’re looking at this very honestly, clear-headed, clear-eyed, and deal with problem gaming issues if they arise.”

The American Gaming Association (AGA) applauded the creation of Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association.

“The formation of the Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association (SWIMA) serves as another important milestone toward realizing the benefits of a legal, regulated sports betting market in the United States, which provides robust consumer protection, increased transparency and additional tax revenues for state and local governments,” said Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs for the American Gaming Association. “The announcement comes at a critical time as dozens of states and sovereign tribal nations are poised to pursue legal sports betting in 2019. Moving forward, SWIMA will provide an important hub for all stakeholders to work together, further demonstrating the industry’s commitment to upholding integrity across all facets of a legal, regulated sports betting market.”