Integrity in Sports and Gaming Conference

On behalf of the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX) and Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, we cordially invite your participation in the inaugural Integrity in Sport and Gaming (ISG) Conference on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 11.00 AM – 5.00 PM at the Fox Theater Grand Lobby (2211 Woodward Avenue) in Detroit, Michigan.  The goal of the ISG Conference is to identify vulnerabilities and collaboratively develop mitigation strategies to address a changing gambling environment.

Why is this ISG Conference important?

According to Price Waterhouse Cooper, the professional and collegiate sports market in the United States could be valued at $83.1 billion in 2023.  The eight largest gaming entertainment companies have a market capitalization value of $183.49 billion and growing.  The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services add almost $900 billion to the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

The global sports betting and lotteries market is estimated to be $231 billion in 2022, with $61.5 billion spent in online gambling worldwide as of 2021. The US Sports gambling market will grow from $4.1 billion in 2022 to more than $10 billion in 2028.

The sports and entertainment industry continues evolving innovative ways to connect and engage new fans through digital technologies, eSports, and gaming.  Name, Image, and Likeness changes at the college level and the advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), have opened new areas to investment and betting.  These online services have the potential for exploitation by criminal elements and members of the public, some of whom may not be aware they are violating the law.

In 2021, there were reports 903 reports of match fixing in 76 countries affecting 10 different professional sports.  As of August 2022, more than 670 incidents of suspected match fixing were reported around the world.  The world is on track to have more than 1,000 suspected match fixing incidents by the end of the year.

Today, the gaming industry operates and provides legalized gambling services and activities online.   These cyber network services have potential vulnerabilities that may be exploited to create influence players to alter the result of a game or match (match fixing) for illicit gain.  These effects will be seen in professional and intercollegiate sports through potentially brand-damaging illicit activities.