BCCI To Employ Fraud Detection System To Curb Betting Malpractices In IPL 2020

The Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] has tied up with the UK-based company ‘Sportradar’, which will offer its ‘integrity services’ to the IPL Anti-Corruption Unit in order to prevent betting malpractices through its Fraud Detection System [FDS] in the forthcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

With multiple evidences of betting malpractices in state-run leagues like KPL and TNPL, the Arun Singh-led ACU is aware of the threat of such practices during the lucrative league, which will be played behind closed doors from September 19.

According to Sportradar, Fraud Detection System [FDS], “is a unique service that identifies betting-related manipulation in sport. This is possible due to the FDS’s sophisticated algorithms and constantly maintained database of odds which are leveraged for the purpose of detecting match-fixing”.

“Yes, BCCI has inked a deal with Sportradar for this year’s IPL. They will be working closely with the ACU and offer their integrity services,” an IPL source told PTI.

“Sportradar has very recently red flagged at least half a dozen games in Goa football league which came under fixing cloud. They have also worked with FIFA, UEFA and various leagues across the globe,” the source added.

BCCI will also be keeping a close watch on Fantasy platforms during IPL 2020

According to Sportradar, the FDS tracks the odds and movements of at least 600 independent bookmakers to detect the discrepancies in the betting patterns. It reportedly processes around five million data sets per day.

Apart from bookies and possible corruptors, the BCCI will also be keeping a close watch on the multiple fantasy gaming companies that have cropped up in the fast few years.

“Fantasy gaming is not exactly betting in its traditional sense but the element of gambling does exist. So it’s a good thing that BCCI is engaging with a company that works on betting related corruption in sport,” a veteran BCCI official said.

Another intriguing aspect of the Fraud Detection System is the mathematical algorithm it uses to analyze betting patterns. The ‘sophisticated model’ monitors live betting on offer during an event.

“There are 25 live alerts, which instantly identifies irregular betting in the marketplace. The mathematical model uses calculated odds, which runs alongside bookmakers’ odds, in order to highlight if the odds during a specific minute or time is out of line, and therefore, potentially suspicious,” says the Sportradar website under its ’25 alerts’ section.

There are “44 detailed pre-match alerts which are based on odds movements observed at betting operators”. “An alert is generated in FDS when odds at a bookmaker changes greater than pre-defined parameter”, which can be duly customized in accordance with the nature of the sport.

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