The issue of corruption in sports is becoming increasingly visible, particularly as sports gambling continues to gain traction in Ontario.

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Here are some key takeaways from the recent SiGMA Americas and Canadian Gaming Summit that took place in Toronto last week.

As theOntario sports gambling As the sports betting industry expands and becomes more accessible, the challenges of corruption in sports and the pressure on athletes are expected to rise significantly.

The Canadian Football League (CFL) is at the forefront of these discussions, especially with the new season kicking off. In a panel at the Canadian Gaming Summit last week, Eric Noivo, who oversees health and safety as well as football operations for the CFL, and Jeremy Luke, the senior director for sport integrity at the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport, addressed these vital issues. The discussion was moderated by Scott Vanderwel, the CEO of a prominent company.PointsBet Canada .

Match-fixing is not the only issue; there’s also manipulation of competition that can affect various aspects of a game—such as who serves first in tennis or which team kicks off first in a CFL match.

According to Luke, \"Any aspect that can be wagered on could be subject to manipulation.\" He emphasized the need for protective systems to avert any attempts to coerce athletes into compromising the integrity of their competitions.

Ensuring the safety and security of athletes is paramount for the CFL in order to maintain the integrity of their sports events.

"Everything can potentially be manipulated,\" Noivo remarked. \"We've established safeguards to ensure that players, officials, and broadcast partners are all aware of what match manipulation entails and how it could potentially affect their lives.\"

Vanderwel highlighted from an operator's perspective that \"the integrity of the game forms the foundation of the entire betting industry.\"

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Example of Competition Manipulation

Luke shared a thought-provoking instance of competition manipulation that he was made aware of by Interpol.

During a low-level volleyball match, a man accompanied by a younger individual approached the team captains stating that the child was his son. The captains were informed that the son had a favorite team and that it would be deeply meaningful for him if the team that won the coin toss could serve first.

"The captains dismissed it, thinking it was harmless since it was merely an exhibition match,\" Luke recounted. \"However, Interpol flagged a rise in gambling activity from Asia regarding that particular match. What seemed like a trivial request can happen across all sports levels.\"

Both Luke and Noivo stressed the importance of educating athletes about the fact that seemingly harmless requests might not be as innocent as they appear. Certain sports, like soccer, could present a higher risk of manipulation without affecting the overall outcome of the match.

If an athlete isn't highly ranked, they might struggle with funding, which makes them more susceptible to coercion.

"As we continue to expand betting on sports,\" Luke stated, \"alongside economic growth and increased fan participation, it's crucial that we protect the athletes involved in these wagers. Everyone is fully committed to this mission, but we need more policies, frameworks, and strategic approaches to ensure their safety.\"

As part of the new CBA The CFL mandates educational programs for its players focusing on the risks of match manipulation.

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Odds and Ends from OLG

Highlights from the OLG on PROLINENHL betting This refers to Game 6 played between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers, where the Lightning secured a narrow 2-1 victory.

OLG reported that 60% of their clientele expected Tampa to triumph in Game 6, with one customer placing a $1,000 bet on the Lightning, yielding a $1,470 return. Another placed a $500 bet on a Lightning/Giants (MLB) parlay, resulting in an $1,850 payout.

Several NHL futures markets were also resolved: on May 30, a customer bet $2,000 on the Lightning to secure the Eastern Conference title, earning a payout of $3,250, and on May 31, another wagered $1,700 on Tampa to win the series for a payout of $2,600.

OLG noted significant betting activity surrounding the RBC Canadian Open, with tournament champion Rory McIlroy attracting the most betting interest at 14%, while Corey Conners, the leading local player, had 11%.

One bettor placed a $150 wager on McIlroy and cashed out with a $1,200 payout. Another placed $200 on Conners as the Top Canadian, resulting in a $600 payout—Conners accounted for 40% of all Top Canadian wagers, followed by Mackenzie Hughes with 30%.

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Mark Keast serves as an iGaming reporter for deereplanet.com and has recently reported on the Canadian iGaming landscape for The Parleh. A seasoned sports journalist, he was previously associated with the Toronto Sun as both a writer and editor.
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