UEFA and ULIS Join Forces to Safeguard the Integrity of Football

The United Lotteries for Integrity in Sports (ULIS) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have inked a historic partnership to combat match-fixing in sports. This collaboration intends to improve the efficiency of their operations by improving information exchange and betting trend monitoring. Both organizations collaborate to detect, deter, and identify any abnormal or suspicious betting practices that may imply match-fixing inside the sport.

The agreement established a collaborative framework for football matches and competitions organized by UEFA, as well as national first and second division football events regulated by UEFA’s 55 member organizations. Its goal is to protect football’s integrity by clearly defined principles, roles, procedures, and obligations to which both ULIS and UEFA comply.

Luca Esposito, General Secretary of ULIS, emphasized the importance of a global effort to address the multifaceted issues surrounding sports competition manipulation. He stated, “This agreement is another crucial step towards strengthening our collective efforts to preserve sports integrity. It impacts the entire sports and sports betting ecosystem, encompassing numerous stakeholders. We eagerly anticipate this enhanced collaboration with UEFA.”

ULIS will offer extensive monitoring, assessment, reporting, and sharing of any odd or suspicious betting trends relating to the aforementioned games as part of the agreement. Their support will include satisfying particular information demands from UEFA, providing a proactive and prioritized approach to preserving football’s integrity.

UEFA’s Managing Director of Integrity and Regulatory, Angelo Rigopoulos, expressed gratitude for ULIS’ operational assistance in the battle against match-fixing in European football. Rigopoulos praised the lottery sector’s productive work over the years and expressed optimism that this new arrangement will develop synergies and strengthen cooperation, ultimately protecting the sport’s integrity.