Esports Integrity Coalition sign MOU with UKGC

The Esports Integrity Coalition (“ESIC”) has made its latest move in signing an information sharing Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the UK Gambling Commission. The move will see esports being considered alongside football, cricket and other traditional sports in the detection and prevention of betting malpractice. 

The move will see the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (“SBIU”) work alongside ESIC to widen its remit into esports. The SBIU will now deal with reports of betting integrity-related corruption on esports, together with ESIC. 

It’s not the first Memorandum of Understanding signed with the integrity coalition. The organisation now adds the UKGC to Nevada’s body, which monitors all esports tournaments held in Las Vegas. ESIC will now benefit from the intelligence available from the regulators and in turn, the UKGC and Nevada will benefit from the information gathered from ESIC’s members who are not just licensed in the UK or Nevada – but see esports wagering worldwide. 

“This MOU is a significant step for ESIC and the esports community,” commented Ian Smith, Commissioner. “The Gambling Commission has significant resources and powers that will be invaluable in helping to combat any emergence of organised crime or serious fraud within our rapidly growing sector.

As esports continues to grow successfully, so will the inevitable attempts to profit on the back of that success through illegitimate means. This agreement will help protect all the individuals, teams and companies working so hard to make esports successful for players and fans alike” Smith continued.

ESIC will be issuing guidance notes to members in the coming weeks to explain the implications of the MOU, and how it will improve the integrity of the esports gambling scene within the UK.

Richard Watson, Programme Director at the Gambling Commission adds, “Esports is a developing sector that offers new challenges for the betting industry, with potential for further market growth. This agreement demonstrates our commitment to supporting ESIC in addressing the potential integrity risks, to help maintain public confidence in esports both as entertainment and for those who wish to place bets on British licensed markets. 

Esports Insider says: Another big move from ESIC as they continue their good work on integrity in the space. MOUs in both Nevada and the UK are both big news and should go a long way to helping safeguard esports.