Once described as woefully ill-prepared to prevent a sports betting scandal, Canada online sportsbooks are making slow, but meaningful progress.
On March 29, British Columbia Lottery Corporation became a member of the United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports. In doing so, BCLC joins the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and Loto-Québec as Canada’s only members.
Previously known as Global Lottery Monitoring System, a survey of brand associates suggested the company was much more proactive than the typical monitoring firm. As a result, the decision to become ULIS in October 2022 proved a more accurate reflection of the company’s ever-growing offerings.
As its newest partner, BCLC will enhance ULIS’ fundamental goal of safeguarding the integrity of sports competitions. Additionally, the Crown corporation will also collaborate with industry stakeholders, regulators, law enforcement, and related organizations to root out match-fixing and corruption.
Shared values make BCLC and ULIS a natural fit
BCLC’s operation features three main selling points:
- Almost 50 years of industry experience, generating $28 billion for province’s education, health care, and social initiatives.
- An unwavering commitment to the well-being of its users (exemplified in award-winning GameSense program); and
- A time consuming and resource intensive push towards becoming a social purpose organization.
All things considered, the decision was a no-brainer for ULIS.
“ULIS is delighted to welcome BCLC as a member,” said ULIS president Ludovico Calvi. “BCLC’s commitment to ESG [environmental, social, and governance], responsible gambling and community outreach aligns with our values, and we look forward to working with BCLC to promote a culture of integrity in sports.”
Calvi specifically highlighted the organization’s shared attitudes regarding ESG, responsible gambling practices, and community outreach. He believes these areas are key indicators for a successful collaboration and, in turn, a boost to the integrity of sports.
Announcement precedes 2023 running of Ethical Sport Symposium
The partnership between BCLC and ULIS comes at an opportune time for interest groups dedicated to battling match fixing.
On May 30-31, 2023, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and McLaren Global Sport Solutions will host the 2023 Symposium on Competition Manipulation and Gambling. The event, which takes place in Toronto, ON, is also backed by the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Industry experts will use real-life case studies to teach attendees about “the risks to sport integrity associated with sport betting and competition manipulation, and best practices to mitigate these risks.”
The symposium represents a collective effort on behalf of industry stakeholders to build a universal, forward-thinking approach to bettering sport and the attached gaming environment.
In this case, stakeholders attending the symposium include, but are not limited to:
- Athletes
- National sport organizations
- International sport federations
- Sports gambling operators and regulators
- Professional sports leagues
- Law enforcement agencies
The preliminary list of speakers is also starting to take shape, with 12 industry leaders already penciled in.
