Moldovan police and ESSA sign sports betting integrity agreement

The agreement establishes mutually beneficial cooperation framework protocols which will allow both parties to exchange information relating to potentially corrupt betting activity and the associated manipulation of sporting events in Moldova. ESSA will work with the Moldovan authorities employing its monitoring and alert platform to assist those authorities in the detection, investigation and prosecution of any betting related match-fixing occurring on its members’ markets.

Alexandru Pinzari, Head of the General Police Inspectorate stated: “Engagement with regulated and responsible betting operators is a central part of our strategy to address and deter match-fixing in Moldova. This agreement with ESSA and its members brings with it important benefits for our information gathering and investigative activities. It will greatly assist our ability to protect both sporting events and consumers from criminals intent on corrupting sport and betting markets for financial gain.”

Khalid Ali, Secretary General of ESSA, stated: “This agreement continues the important development of an international network of information sharing between ESSA and its members and regulatory and law enforcement bodies around the world. Cooperation and partnership working is a key facet in the global fight against match-fixing and the corruption of regulated betting markets. ESSA is therefore delighted to formalise our positive working relationship with the Moldovan authorities.”

ESSA holds positions on high-level betting policy forums at the European Commission, Council of Europe and the IOC. It is driving a number of important initiatives aimed at addressing match-fixing and hosted an international betting integrity conference at Lords Cricket Ground (see here) at the end of last year, attended by over 150 senior officials from sports bodies, regulators and other key stakeholders. A copy of ESSA’s Q2 integrity report can be accessed here, along with previous reports.