Battle against match-fixing in the spotlight at SBC Digital Italia

The online event on 28-29 July features an agenda that examines all the key issues influencing the future of the betting and gaming industry in Italy, including how stakeholders from across the sector can work together to prevent competition manipulation.

The ‘Match-Fixing Phenomenon at the Time of Covid’ session will be moderated by an internationally-renowned expert on the subject, the President of the Global Lottery Monitoring System (GLMS), Ludovico Calvi.

GLMS is an important player in the detection and analysis of suspicious betting activities that could question the integrity of a sport competition, and the results of its work emphasise the fact that game manipulation remains a live issue for both the professional sports and betting industries. In the first half of 2021, GLMS handled 680 alerts across 10 sports, 56 of which were sent out to members and partners following its in-depth analysis, justifying suspicious odds movements where appropriate and delivering integrity reports where needed. 

The session will examine the nature of the threats to the integrity of sporting competition and how those threats are changing, the impact of the Council of Europe’s adoption of the Macolin Convention, and what sports governing bodies and law enforcement agencies around the world can do to improve monitoring systems and prevention measures.

Joining Calvi on the panel are some of the people who have helped to make Italy one of the world leaders in the prevention and investigation of match-fixing offences. They include  Claudio Marinelli (Project Manager, Criminal Intelligence Officer, Interpol), Ugo Taucer (Attorney General, CONI), Luca Turchi (Director, Games Control Office of the Games Directorate, Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli), Stefano Delfini (Director, Criminal Analysis Service, Criminal Police Central Directorate, Ministry of the Interior), and Roberto Ribaudo (Director Interpol Italia Division, International Police Cooperation Service). 

Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Ensuring the integrity of sports matches and competitions remains a priority for the betting industry and, of course, for fans and bettors. 

“So we’re delighted to provide a platform at SBC Digital Italia to some of the world’s leading experts on the identification and prevention of match manipulation to share information about best practice and exchange ideas about how to improve systems.” 

The SBC Digital Italia conference agenda has been compiled in conjunction with SBC’s local partner Gioco News. It also features a CEO panel on creating a sustainable future for the industry, and sessions on the challenge of reshaping the retail gambling sector, how to build on the growth the online market has enjoyed over the last 12 months, the role of the regulator, igaming marketing strategies, and the new image for horse racing. 

The 60-strong speaker line-up includes Marcello Minenna (Direttore Generale, Agenzia Dogane e Monopoli), Guglielmo Angelozzi (CEO, Lottomatica), Fabio Schiavolin (CEO, SNAITECH), Francesco Durante (CEO, Sisal), Markus Buechele (CEO, Novomatic Italia), Carla Ramella (Customs and Monopoly Director, Central Public Administration,SOGEI), Claudio Durigon (Undersecretary, Ministry of Economy & Finance), Francesco  Battistoni (Undersecretary at Mipaaf, with responsibility for horse racing), and Marco Castaldo (CEO, Microgame). 

In addition to the conference, SBC Digital Italia will feature a virtual exhibition with 20 leading suppliers showcasing their latest innovations tailored for the Italian market, and a selection of networking opportunities.

Register for your free online pass for SBC Digital Italia at the event’s website: https://sbcevents.com/sbc-digital-italia/register/