IBIA and Speel Verantwoord sign cooperation agreement on betting and integrity

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and the Netherlands online gambling trade body Stichting Speel Verantwoord (SSV) have signed a partnership agreement providing a framework for cooperation and coordination between the two bodies. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will see the associations work on projects aimed at promoting and establishing viable regulated betting markets with high consumer channelling and related consumer, sports and operator integrity protection measures. Joint activity will be particularly focused on the Netherlands as it moves towards the opening of its online gambling market from mid-2021.

Peter-Paul de Goeij, Managing Director of the SSV, said “There are a significant number of companies that are members of both associations and there is clear benefit for our two bodies from working closely in the lead up to the introduction of the remote gambling law. Whilst both associations welcome the opening of the market, the law places a number of restrictions on certain betting products on integrity grounds, which both the SSV and IBIA have questioned; there is a general concern about the impact on consumer channelisation and market viability.”

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “The Netherlands law presents a number of opportunities and challenges for operators concerning the availability of betting and related integrity issues. We will be seeking to work closely with the SSV to establish a working relationship with policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss those issues in more detail and to ensure that the market opening is successful. This includes supporting the licensing requirement for all sports betting operators to be a member of an integrity monitoring body, and where the Dutch law specifically mentions IBIA as a best practice model.”