Sports betting is becoming more mainstream as states continue to pass laws to make it easier to gamble. The rise in popularity brings a bigger risk of fraud along with it. As a result, Ohio University will now offer a sports gambling education curriculum to prevent the impact of fraud.
Ohio University’s AECOM Center for Sports Administration is considered one of the top sports education departments in the country. As a leader in the industry, it is only right that they are paving the way for sports fraud prevention.
“We’re proud to be on the right side of history when it comes to sports-related betting,” said Jim Kahler, Executive Director of the AECOM Center for Sports Administration, as reported by The Daily Sentinel. “This program is going to help educate coaches, students, and administrators on how to prevent, identify, and react to instances of sports-betting fraud.
“The curriculum has been developed by a talented group of leaders in the industry, and we are excited to bring that knowledge and experience to the field.”
The school is partnering with US Integrity and Cyanna Education Services to launch the program that is scheduled to start in May of 2020. It will contain a three-part certification that is available online.
“At US Integrity, our goal is to help ensure that every sporting competition is fair and transparent,” said Matt Holt, President & Founder of US Integrity. “This partnership with Ohio University and Cyanna allows us to begin training the next generation of coaches, athletes, administrators, and regulators who will inform and influence the future of sports – and help create an environment free from sports-betting corruption.”
Taking Reservations
The online program is currently taking RSVPs on their website. The website header reads, “Earn a certificate in Sports Gambling Education from Ohio University’s AECOM Center for Sports Administration, and become an expert in the evolving US sports wagering industry. This exciting new curriculum is one of the first online educational programs for legalized sports gambling in the US, launching Spring 2020.”
They indicate the complex issues in sports gambling that the courses plan to address:
- What integrity issues can arise?
- Want to properly evaluate investment opportunities?
- How can officials impact the outcome of a game?
- What is the impact on other industries?
- Uncertain how to protect yourself, staff, or students?
- What are best practices to implement for compliance?
- Can you interpret the latest laws and regulations?
- Feeling frustrated in keeping up with the changes?
The curriculum will include topics such as game integrity, risk management, fraud prevention, game manipulation, and more.
Greg Pierson is the CEO of Iovation, who creates business systems to prevent online fraud in the sports betting industry. He indicated several issues in online sports wagering that could arise, including age verification, location verification, self-exclusion, credit card fraud, and bonus abuse.
The growing risk will be a variable for other states to look into when discussing a bill. If these fraud cases continue to rise without a solution, it will be tough on lawmakers to approve any laws that would make it easier to gamble online.
Education programs such as the one Ohio University is starting is going to be key in the advancement of mobile sports wagering across the US.
