Fanatics Sportsbook has introduced a new initiative aimed at curbing the rise of online abuse and threats directed at athletes by sports bettors. The "Bad Actor Program," a partnership with Integrity Compliance 360, Inc. (IC360) and Signify Group, will begin monitoring social media platforms at the start of the U.S. football season.
Program Details and Implementation
The program will utilize Signify Group's Threat Matrix service to detect targeted abusive and threatening content across various social platforms. When problematic behavior is identified, individuals associated with such accounts will be placed into IC360's ProhiBet Bad Actor program. This system is designed to provide sportsbooks with the ability to restrict or ban wagering privileges for users who threaten athletes, coaches, or officials.
Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, stated that the program aligns with Fanatics' core values of respect and tolerance. "This groundbreaking program will hold bettors accountable for threats made against players, coaches, and officials," King said. "We encourage other operators to join the initiative because there is no sports betting potential loss that should embolden a sports betting customer to threaten or harass an athlete online."
Athletes and officials will also be encouraged to report abusive direct messages. These reports will be analyzed by Signify for severity and escalated to specialists for further investigation. Cases that cross a criminal threshold will be reported to law enforcement agencies.
Fanatics Sportsbook will enforce a zero-tolerance policy, suspending or permanently terminating accounts found to have engaged in abusive, threatening, defamatory, or harassing conduct. The company views the Bad Actor program as an escalation of this existing policy.
Growing Concerns in Sports Betting
The launch of the Bad Actor Program comes amid increasing concerns about the intersection of legalized sports betting and online harassment of athletes. Recent incidents highlight the severity of the issue, including a threat made to professional tennis player Arthur Bouquier by a bettor who lost a significant wager. The bettor sent Bouquier a message expressing anger over a 2000 euro loss and threatening to track down the player and his family, even if it meant going to prison.
Scott Sadin, co-CEO of IC360, noted that threats of violence and harassment are increasing at an "alarming rate." He emphasized the program's importance in protecting athletes and other stakeholders from "serious, long-term harm."
Fanatics Sportsbook hopes its new program will deter offenders and demonstrate a commitment to identifying and addressing individuals who cross the line. The company also expressed a desire for other sports betting operators to adopt similar measures to maintain the integrity of the industry.