MGM and Caesars back new integrity monitoring association
Cross-industry group aims to partner with state and federal regulators
MGM Resorts and Caesars have thrown their weight behind a new not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preserving integrity in US sports betting.
The Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association (SWIMA) is the first such organisation in the US and aims to detect and discourage fraud and match fixing.
The initial board of trustees of the organisation will include MGM resorts senior vice president and chief compliance officer Stephen Martino and Caesars executive vice president of public policy and corporate responsibility Jan Jones.
SWIMA will be led by George Rover, the former deputy director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), and former New Jersey assistant Attorney General.
Rover will be responsible for the organisations day-to-day functions.
“We are excited to roll out the first Integrity Monitoring Association in the United States, ensuring a safe and secure betting environment for consumers across the country,” Rover said.
Billed as a collaborative entity, SWIMA aims to partner with state and tribal gaming regulators, law enforcement entities and industry stakeholders in sports betting.
SWIMA is modelled on its European counterpart, ESSA (Sports Betting Integrity), with the latter providing functional assistance to SWIMA in the run up to its launch.