a partnership between
Protecting the Integrity of the Game
An international athlete education project funded by the IBIA and
its partner members, BET 365, FanDuel and Betway
Importance of education
Sports integrity lapses impact both players and fan confidence in the game. Years of sacrifice and hard work can disappear in a moment of poor judgement. Consequences of Breaches of Sporting Integrity: -Loss of sponsorships -Damage to reputation -Sports Disciplinary Proceedings: i.e. suspension, permanent ban from sport -Criminal Proceedings
What to watch out for
Athletes must not be involved in betting, sharing of inside information, or competition manipulation (match fixing). Match fixing is an intentional act to improperly alter the course of a sports competition to obtain a benefit. It can be performed by individual competitors, entire teams, support staff, match officials or venue staff. Criminals are often involved in competition manipulation to illegally profit through betting markets. It can also be motivated by seeking sport-related benefits or advantages, such as securing a better draw in the finals, or qualification for a major event. Why is Organized Crime interested in Sport? -High Profit and low risk (volume of bets versus potential sanction) -Largely anonymous -Exploitation of easy targets: e.g. low paid athletes and those who's clubs have missed payments -Absence of legislation and inadequate supervision and/or regulation of gambling -Limited law enforcement capabilities How might organized crime approach? -Directly - a gift, money or sexual favours. -Indirectly - family and/or friends. -Grooming over time -Direct or implied threat of violence or disclosure of embarrassing information -Target known vulnerability of athlete: e.g. financial problems, low earnings, bankruptcy.
The football betting market
The main markets are results, handicap and goals. These generate the highest spend and are offered in most regulated (legal) jurisdictions. Side markets are cards and corners, which, in some jurisdictions, are subject to wider limitations. According to a recent study, these markets are not targeted by match fixers. Global sports betting is forecast to be worth $94B in gross gambling revenue in 2024; betting on football is forecast to generate $53B from around $570B in turnover (amounts wagered) in the same year. Compared to other sports, football is the dominant betting product, accounting for over 56% of the legal betting market. Emerging Sports Betting Markets: there are number of jurisdictions that are in the process of regulating their online sports betting markets, notably across North and South America. The Canadian Gaming Association estimates that the 2024 onshore regulated Ontario online betting GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) will be $505.9M with a further GGR $41.7M for the offshore market. In the rest of Canada, the onshore market is predicted to generate $45.5M and a further $355.0M offshore. 92% of all bets placed on football in Ontario are made onshore - up from 69% in 2022. Since Ontario opened its market in 2022, the number of gambling companies, especially online betting outfits, has increased and so too, has the threat of competition manipulation.
Competition Manipulation Rules
As per Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics, athletes have a duty to disclose and report all breaches of the following directives. Players are strongly advised to contact PFA Canada for guidance or in the alternative, make a report anonymously through the PFA Canada - FIFPro Red Button App. Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics 4.1 Integrity in Sport... vi. Reject and condemn all forms of bribery and corruption. vii. Refrain from accepting or giving gifts or other benefits that influence an act that is related to their official activities. If in doubt, gifts shall not be offered or accepted. xiii. Refrain from betting in connection with soccer and not tolerate any form of manipulation of match results - whether for financial, sporting or political gain, and ensure information in any form that is not publicly available is not used for the above purposes for oneself or another party. Canadian Premier League 2024 Player's Handbook Article 11 Prohibition on Gambling and Match-fixing (a) Betting on the result of any CPL game is strictly prohibited. (b) The taking of any bribe in the form of money or a gift to influence in any way the result of a game is strictly prohibited. (c) A player found to have violated the above will be immediately terminated from the Member Club and expelled for life from the CPL.
The Red Button App
Protect Yourself, Your Career and the Integrity of the Canadian Premier League with the Red Button App Working with FIFPRO and player unions across the globe, PFA Canada distributes the Red Button smartphone app to professional footballers to protect their careers and support the fight against match-fixing. Football's regulations say you must report an approach to fix a match, even if you do nothing about it. Failure to do so may result in a suspension from playing therefore it is important players download and use the app if necessary. What is the Red Button app? Red Button is a smartphone app wholly owned by FIFPRO which allows professional footballers to safely report match-fixing approaches. Who can use the Red Button app? To protect the integrity of the Red Button app and the quality of the information, only professional footballers are allowed to download the app. The quality of information is highest when it comes directly from the person approached. How do I get the Red Button app? From PFA Canada. During a team visit, they will enable you to download the Red Button app, using some safety measures. Once installed, you can use the app as many times as you want. Are there other ways to get the app? No. To protect the integrity of the Red Button app, only player associations can make it available to players. Is my anonymity guaranteed? Yes. If you choose to use the Red Button app anonymously, then the recipient of your report will not know who you are. The only thing the recipient of your report will know is that you are a professional footballer. How do I use the Red Button app? The app has a very clear and easy-to-use interface. Simply fill in all the fields. The app also gives you the ability to add proof such as documents, photos, audio and video recordings. There is the option to indicate that you can be contacted if investigators would like to obtain more information. This is voluntary. Can someone tell if I have used the Red Button app? No. After submitting your report, the Red Button app ensures that no trace will be left on your smartphone. The Red Button app was among others tested by Interpol, whose experts were unable to hack it or obtain any information from it. What happens with my report? In each country, the local player association together with security experts and FIFPRO assess which parties are the safest to receive the reports submitted with the Red Button app. These designated national authorities could include police and government anti-corruption units. FIFPRO will also receive the submitted information, which FIFPRO can decide to share with the FIFA Integrity department for an investigation
