As the sports betting industry grows in the United States, USADA (the US Anti-Doping Agency), is looking to play a greater role in this market. The government agency wants to monitor the expanding industry, following the groundbreaking ruling by the US Supreme Court allowing legal and regulated sports betting in all states if they choose to adopt it.
USADA wants to help flag unusual betting activity using the same methods it does to pinpoint potential doping in sports. In fact, it believes it could become the premier hub for all sports betting integrity efforts.
“If legalized sports gambling and potentially match-fixing situations continue to come to light, it would be important to have a regulatory body to put rules in place and hand down any sanctions necessary,” noted Travis Tygart, chief executive officer of USADA in Colorado Springs. “USADA would consider expanding our scope.”
The anti-doping agency is already recognized by US Congress as the national drug testing group that covers a wide range of sports, including US athletes heading to the Olympics.
Tygart added that it was in the gaming market’s interest, as well as clean athletes’ interest to have a fair and honest playing field. He pointed out that if someone had an unfair advantage through doping, the gaming industry would suffer from an inability to equitably set the odds.
“Cooperative relationships have to take priority in order for clean athletes and a corrupt-free gaming market to prevail,” he said.
