IBIA and BOS strengthen betting integrity cooperation

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS), the Swedish trade association for online gambling, have signed a partnership agreement which provides a framework for cooperation between the two bodies.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will see the associations work together on projects of mutual interest. Future activity is expected to be particularly focused on the challenges presented by recent regulatory changes in Sweden and promoting effective betting and integrity provisions that also maintain high levels of market oversight and consumer channelization.

“A clean sport, free from corruption, is of utmost importance for the gambling industry in Sweden. The gambling industry is a victim when matches are fixed, and it is therefore crucial to not only work hard, but to work together, against manipulation in sports. We are very pleased that we now deepen our collaboration with IBIA in our joint goal; that sports betting shall be fun, safe, transparent and honest” says Gustaf Hoffstedt, secretary general, BOS.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “IBIA members have faced a number of regulatory challenges in Sweden since its opening and the betting product restrictions set to be introduced at the start of 2021 will add further burdens, notably relative to unregulated offshore operators. We believe that those restrictions will prove counterproductive and we hope that the Swedish authorities will take an evidence-based approach and continually reassess their position on this matter. In the meantime, we will work with our colleagues at BOS to do all we can to keep that market safe.”