Tiago Horta Barbosa, head of integrity at Genius Sports, highlighted in an exclusive interview for GMB that Brazil is going through a transition period in the regulation of sports betting. He emphasized the company's commitment to promoting a clean sports environment, through monitoring, workshops, and investigations. Tiago believes that sportsbooks will be more proactive in reporting fraud, aiming to protect both bettors and sports entities.
Games Magazine Brasil – Integrity is the current topic, and that's why Genius Sports is holding the 3rd Brazilian Sports Integrity Summit?
Tiago Horta Barbosa -
I would say yes, because Brazil is at a very important moment, transitioning to the regulation of sports betting. From January 1st, we will live in a regulated environment and at the same time, we remember that in recent years the country has faced quite serious problems, especially related to the manipulation of competitions.
So, dealing with integrity at this moment when betting takes on a regulated character, while we are showing a predisposition to face the challenges that hinder integrity and contribute to the construction of an increasingly clean environment is what Genius Sports most wants.
We want to work towards this, and we do it in various ways, whether through monitoring betting markets, talking with sports entities so that they have security in relation to their championships, or through workshops and lectures we hold for athletes, and even through investigations. Genius Sports has the role of building a clean environment and this event symbolizes that.
It's not just about telling the market and athletes the importance of integrity. It's about a strong economic activity. How to show society that betting houses are also victims?
When we have cases of result manipulation, everyone loses. Whether it's the bettor who is cheated, the sports entity, which has its tournament tarnished, society, and the betting industry. The houses take huge losses every time there is manipulation. Working for the good of the sport and for an integral environment is an advantage for everyone and at Genius Sports we strive for this.
How can betting houses proactively work to report these crimes against themselves?
I understand that now, with the regulated environment – and there was a discussion of the little collaboration of the betting houses – they will even know who to report to and have the security that by reporting a fraud, they will have the prosecution of that situation being carried out by public authorities. With the regulation and defined rules, they will be able to do this. One of the requirements for companies to obtain their licenses is to be part of a monitoring network.
We, at Genius Sports, work in partnership with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) in one of these large monitoring networks. We receive several operators to contribute with us. Being part of this and contributing information from irregular situations being identified is the best path for this. Within a regulated environment, I am sure that is what will happen.
Is Brazil mature and the sports betting industry as well?
I would say that today we are more mature than last year and next year we will be more mature than now. The market is being consolidated and we are living a year of transition. From January 1, 2025, we will be in the first year of the regulated environment and adjustments will be necessary. No one expects the regulated environment to be perfect from the start. I am sure that situations will arise where we will need to fix things as they happen.
What was the final outcome of the 3rd Brazilian Sports Integrity Summit? Did the players understand what was presented?
It was a success and everyone understood. We see this event as very rewarding and Genius Sports is very happy to have contributed to it.
Source: Exclusive GMB
