text: Stats Perform, the SportsTech leader in data and AI technology, has become the first betting data provider to be awarded the International Betting Integrity Association’s (IBIA) independently audited Data Standards Accreditation for the collection and distribution of sports event data for betting.
  The award represents the highest mark of betting data quality and integrity available and is assessed by expert independent auditors, eCOGRA.
  The IBIA launched the initiative to audit betting data providers after identifying that high-integrity sports data collection plays a critical role in protecting sports and betting markets against corruption.
  Khalid Ali, CEO IBIA, said: “I am delighted to announce that Stats Perform is the first company to meet the data standards protocols IBIA published in October 2020. 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.”
  Shaun McCallaghan, CEO of eCOGRA, said: “Stats Perform met every requirement set out in the data standards protocols. 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.”
  Andrew Ashenden, Chief Betting Officer at Stats Perform, commented: “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. 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.”
  Jake Marsh, Global Head of Integrity at Stats Perform, said: “Our priority at Stats Perform is the integrity of the betting markets and of the competitions upon which they rely. Effective risk management of our data supply chain involves ongoing investment, collaboration and commitment across numerous expert teams who live and breathe the quality of our product. We are very proud to be recognised by the IBIA for our dedication to quality and integrity.”
  The accreditation follows recent news of Stats Perform’s appointment as the exclusive official WTA tennis fast data supplier. That agreement includes the collection of an operationally independent, scout-collected data feed alongside the umpire chair data feed, cited by the sports data giant as further evidence of its commitment to driving integrity, quality, and trust in sport.