Stats Perform first to secure IBIA data collection certification

The IBIA set out its new standards in October 2020, arguing that best practice standards would help protect sporting integrity.

Stats Perform, an affiliate member of IBIA, was quick to support the decision and announce it would undergo the auditing process to secure a Data Standards Kitemark.

Now, the data supplier has become the first to receive accreditation for meeting all of the standards. 

“We are very proud to be recognised by the IBIA for our dedication to quality and integrity,” Jake Marsh, head of global integrity at Stats Perform, said.

The accreditation is assessed by the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA).

 “Stats Perform met every requirement set out in the data standards protocols,” eCOGRA chief executive Shaun McCallaghan said.

“The company was well-prepared for the auditing process, and the evidence that was reviewed was representative of a company culture that is in line with the core principles of IBIA‘s data integrity standards and committed to continually improving upon them.”

The standards cover three main areas: personnel vetting and training; data collation processes, and data integrity and reporting. 

All data collection must be carried out by people aged 18 and above, whose identities have been verified, and additional background checks must be carried out to ensure there are no conflicts of interest. 

The data supplier must also make clear the source of data by marking whether it has been generated in-person at the venue, via television or via another method. They must also set out the speed, latency and process of transmission and hold all their data for at least three years.

Finally, the companies must also carry out a detailed risk assessment for all sporting events or competitions on which they collect data. All integrity issues must be flagged to all parties involved and any other relevant stakeholders.

IBIA first proposed a set of standards for betting data collection in May 2020.

“I am delighted to announce that Stats Perform is the first company to meet the data standards protocols IBIA published in October 2020,” IBIA chief executive Khalid Ali said. 

“In passing the independent auditing process, Stats Perform has demonstrated secure and robust internal procedures for the collation of sporting event data for betting and may now utilise the data standards kitemark.”

Andrew Ashenden, Chief Betting Officer at Stats Perform, added that the supplier would continue to work on ensuring high levels of integrity even beyond the IBIA’s standards.

“This accreditation is thanks to tireless quality and integrity efforts from our sports data operations teams over the past 15 years and, whilst we’re grateful for the recognition, we know our efforts don’t stop here,” Ashenden said. ”We continuously search for new threats and assess opportunities to improve our sports data processes, people and technology.

“Stats Perform’s RunningBall and Opta sports data is chosen by the world’s leading rights holders, sportsbooks and pricing providers to power exceptional in-play betting experiences for millions of global sports bettors.”