MGM and Caesars Lead Formation of SWIMA

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.

Atlantic City, announced that most major betting operators have already joined its board of delegates, with the expectation that eventually there will be full compliance in all jurisdictions. MGM Resorts chief compliance officer Stephen Martino, and Caesars’ EVP of public policy and corporate responsibility, Jan Jones, will serve as inaugural trustees.

“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,” said David Rebuck, the director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren said the new group will both monitor integrity issues and responsibly support problem gaming. He noted that the appointment of his company’s chief compliance officer shows how seriously they are taking the matter.

“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,” Murren said, adding: “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) applauds 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.