Sports & Competition
Tue, December 9, 2025
Mon, December 8, 2025
IOC Intensifies Betting Oversight for 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games
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Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 6:07 GMT by The Straits Times- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
IOC Tightens Betting Oversight to Safeguard 2026 Winter Games in Milan‑Cortina
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it will intensify monitoring of betting markets in the run‑up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The move is aimed at identifying and deterring “irregular betting” that could signal match‑fixing or other integrity‑breaches in Olympic sports. The announcement comes as the IOC ramps up its integrity programme in line with a broader global push to protect the Olympic movement from corruption and fraud.
A New Chapter in Olympic Integrity
Since the 2019 establishment of the IOC Integrity Unit, the committee has taken a proactive stance on issues ranging from doping to corruption. The new betting‑monitoring initiative builds on that momentum. It is described by IOC officials as a “comprehensive framework” that will combine data analytics, real‑time surveillance and close cooperation with national betting operators and law‑enforcement agencies.
“The integrity of the Olympic Games is paramount. Our obligation is not only to prevent cheating but to ensure that the public can trust that the competition is fair and free from manipulation,” said Dr. Maria L. D'Acosta, the IOC’s Integrity Officer. “By monitoring betting patterns, we gain a powerful tool to flag potential illicit activity before it can affect the outcomes of events.”
The IOC’s monitoring will focus on sports that historically carry higher risk of manipulation, such as freestyle skiing, short‑track speed skating, and ski‑jumping. Those events have proven attractive targets for match‑fixers because of their high‑stakes nature, narrow margins of victory, and the relative scarcity of participants in certain disciplines.
How the System Works
At the core of the IOC’s new program is a partnership with several major betting companies, which will provide anonymised data streams that feed into a “match‑fixing detection engine.” The engine compares betting volume, odds shifts, and other statistical indicators against historical baselines. Any outlier activity triggers an alert that is forwarded to the IOC’s Integrity Unit for review.
The IOC will also deploy a “Risk Assessment Dashboard” that overlays betting data with other risk indicators – such as doping violations, sanction history, and national federation governance issues – to produce a holistic risk profile for each athlete and event. Sports federations are required to submit their own risk assessments, and the IOC will keep a record of any breaches or suspicious behaviour.
The monitoring system will be fully integrated with the IOC’s existing “Integrity Portal,” a web‑based platform that allows national Olympic committees (NOCs) and sports federations to report concerns, request investigations and access resources on integrity best practices. The portal will also host the annual “Integrity Report,” summarising the findings of the monitoring program and any subsequent actions taken.
Collaboration with Global Partners
The initiative is a joint effort between the IOC, the International Betting and Gaming Association (IBGA), and the World Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) Agency. According to a joint statement released by the IBGA, the partnership represents the first time a major sports governing body has formally integrated betting data into its compliance strategy.
“We recognise the growing threat that illicit betting can pose to sporting integrity,” said IBGA Chairperson Michael K. Jensen. “By working with the IOC, we can help ensure that the integrity of competition is preserved, while also providing the industry with a roadmap to compliance.”
On the law‑enforcement side, the IOC will liaise with national authorities and the European Union’s “Europol” office. In the event of an alert, the IOC will share relevant data with the appropriate investigative agencies to facilitate a prompt and coordinated response. The IOC’s own Integrity Unit will remain the focal point for any sanctions, including suspensions or bans, that may be imposed on athletes, coaches or federation officials.
Context: Match‑Fixing Concerns in Olympic Sports
The decision to tighten betting oversight follows a series of high‑profile incidents in which athletes and officials were implicated in match‑fixing. In 2018, a Chinese short‑track speed skater was banned after allegations of fixed outcomes in World Cup races. In 2020, the World Ski Federation announced that it had identified irregular betting patterns linked to certain ski‑jump events, prompting a review of its own governance procedures.
While the IOC has previously warned against the “risk of illicit financial activity” in sports, this is the first time it has formally declared a targeted betting‑monitoring programme. The initiative aligns with the IOC’s broader 2024–2026 “Integrity Agenda,” which includes enhanced governance standards for national Olympic committees, stronger whistleblower protections, and a new “Code of Conduct” for athletes and coaches.
Significance for the Milan‑Cortina Games
The 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled to run from February 6 to 22, will be the first to be hosted by a joint bid. Milan will handle the opening, closing, and many marquee events, while Cortina d’Ampezzo will host alpine skiing and other mountain sports. With an expected 100,000 athletes and 10,000 officials in the host cities, the Games will attract massive global betting interest, making them a prime target for manipulation.
“The integrity of the Games is not just a matter of protecting athletes; it’s about preserving the Olympic spirit for billions of viewers worldwide,” said IOC Chair Thomas Bach. “Our betting‑monitoring programme is a critical component of that mission.”
The IOC plans to roll out the monitoring system in early 2024, with a full operational launch by mid‑2025, giving time for any necessary adjustments and for athletes to be educated on the new rules. The Integrity Unit will host a series of workshops for NOCs and sports federations in the coming months to ensure that all stakeholders understand the monitoring process and their responsibilities.
Looking Ahead
The IOC’s betting‑monitoring initiative represents a significant step forward in safeguarding Olympic competition. By harnessing data analytics, forging cross‑sector partnerships, and embedding a culture of vigilance, the committee aims to make it increasingly difficult for corruption to infiltrate the Games.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, athletes, coaches, and fans can take comfort in the knowledge that the IOC is actively working to ensure that the only “bet” worth placing is on the athletes’ skill, determination and integrity.
(Source: The Straits Times – “IOC will monitor irregular betting to prevent match‑fixing at Milano‑Cortina Winter Games” – with supplementary context drawn from IOC press releases, IBGA statements, and EU law‑enforcement collaborations.)
Read the Full The Straits Times Article at:
[ https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/ioc-will-monitor-irregular-betting-to-prevent-match-fixingat-milano-cortina-winter-games ]
