The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) revealed that it has inked a partnership agreement with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The two organizations are expected to work in collaboration in order to manage suspicious betting activity reports related to the IAAF World Championships London 2017.
The Championships is to be hosted at the London Stadium from August 4th to August 13th.
This is the first time when the Athletics Integrity Unit is to join forces with a Gambling Commission and plans this partnership to be a long-term and strategic one. The UK Gambling Commission, on the other hand, is to be backed by some of its European partners over the Championships.
Commenting on the newly-reached partnership agreement with the UK Gambling Commission, the Athletics Integrity Unit Chairman David Howman shared that it is the Athletics Integrity Unit which is responsible to take action and put an end to the forms of corruption and ethical misconduct in athletics. Mr. Howman also explained that the AIU is to investigate all betting practices are not carried out in correspondence to the legislative and regulatory framework.
The AIU Chairman further explained that the collaboration with the British gambling regulatory body could be very beneficial for the process, as the UK Gambling Commission has the right to gather information about potential breaches to law. This, in Mr. Howman’s opinion would held the AIU to better protect the World Championships from corrupt practices. He further added that keeping the integrity of athletics and eliminating all irregular betting activities is a matter of paramount importance to the sport, and this is exactly what the partnership with the British gambling regulator is aimed at.
As part of the partnership agreement between the British gambling regulatory body and the Athletics Integrity Unit, all reports of irregular or suspicious betting activity in terms of the IAAF World Championships is to be thoroughly investigated by the AIU. The Unit will also be able to start disciplinary proceedings that are to be held under the Integrity Code of Conduct in case that such activities are proved.
As revealed by the Unit in its official press release, the Athletics Integrity Unit is to mainly work hand in glove with the UKGC’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit. The AIU also announced that the two parties have already established the formal information sharing protocols that are to be followed. In addition, in case that potential breaches of UK’s Criminal law are identified, the local criminal authorities are to be informed, too.
The partnership agreement aiming to keep the integrity of sports betting in athletics was confirmed by the Programme Director of the UK Gambling Commission Richard Watson. The latter revealed that the UKGC welcomed the measures taken by the AIU to protect the IAAF World Athletics Championship from illegal sports betting practices with open arms.
Mr. Watson also projected that the betting volumes on athletics could increase in the region, especially considering the fact that the Championship is to take place on the territory of the UK. According to him, the partnership agreement is to make the identification of potential risks in the sports betting industry easier.
- Author
Daniel Williams
