Betting integrity in focus: Khalid Ali on safeguarding global sport at SiGMA Africa 2026
The rapid expansion of regulated sports betting has created new opportunities for operators and governments, but it has also introduced fresh integrity risks that cross borders and markets. At SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, industry leaders gathered to discuss how regulation, data monitoring and international cooperation can protect sport from manipulation and fraud.
During his keynote, “Safeguarding Global Sport: How Data, Collaboration and Regulation Are Re-shaping Betting Integrity,” Khalid Ali, CEO of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), offered a practical overview of how the integrity ecosystem is evolving alongside the global betting market. His address highlighted why the integrity of sporting competitions remains the foundation for sustainable betting markets, particularly as Africa experiences rapid growth in digital wagering.
Ali opened by acknowledging the scale of transformation the sector has undergone in recent years. “The last decade has been a transformative period with the expansion of regulation across a range of major markets, such as the US and Brazil, as well as important regulatory changes across Asia and Africa,” he told delegates.
“Market integrity is of paramount importance,” said Khalid Ali, CEO of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).
Betting integrity risks
As legal betting markets expand, so do the vulnerabilities that accompany them. Ali stressed that maintaining integrity requires regulators and operators to strike a careful balance between effective oversight and commercial viability.
“The principal challenge is establishing the right balance between regulation and taxation to ensure that the onshore regulated market remains attractive,” he explained, noting that consumer confidence ultimately determines whether players remain within the licensed ecosystem.
Africa’s betting sector is projected to grow sharply in the coming years, driven primarily by online channels. Yet this growth also brings pressure from offshore markets and unregulated activity. According to data referenced during the keynote, African betting gross gaming revenue could reach $19.5 billion by 2030, with a portion of activity still expected to take place through offshore channels.
For Ali, integrity monitoring must evolve alongside these changes. “Market integrity is of paramount importance,” he said, emphasising that effective safeguards are necessary not only for operators but also for athletes, competitions and consumers.
Data and detection
Central to IBIA’s approach is the use of large-scale monitoring systems that analyse betting activity across global markets. Ali described how data sharing between operators enables earlier detection of suspicious betting patterns.
IBIA’s monitoring platform, known as the Global Monitoring and Alert Platform, processes information from member operators across millions of sporting events annually. This collective intelligence allows alerts to be shared quickly with sports bodies, regulators and law enforcement agencies when irregular betting activity appears.
The scale of this monitoring effort continues to expand. In its most recent integrity report, IBIA recorded 300 suspicious betting alerts in 2025, the highest number to date, with several cases leading to sanctions against players, teams and officials.
However, Ali stressed that data alone cannot safeguard sport. Effective regulation and cross-sector partnerships remain essential components of the integrity system.
Collaboration across markets
Ali devoted significant attention to the need for coordinated action between regulators, sports governing bodies, operators and enforcement agencies. “All of us, integrity monitors, operators, sports, regulators and law enforcement have a shared interest in raising integrity standards and creating the most robust sports integrity ecosystem possible,” he said.
IBIA has established information-sharing partnerships with organisations including FIFA, UEFA, the International Tennis Integrity Agency and the International Olympic Committee, enabling betting data to support investigations into match fixing and fraud.
In Africa, the association has also begun working more closely with regional stakeholders, including a recently announced partnership with the African iGaming Alliance, aimed at expanding cooperation with local regulators and operators.
Ali concluded with cautious optimism about the future of the sector, noting that modern regulation and deeper collaboration can ensure the continued growth of safe, transparent betting markets.
About Alea
Alea is a B2B iGaming platform that gives casino operators access to a wide range of games and suppliers through one integration. The company focuses on clarity, performance and scalability, helping operators succeed in both established and emerging markets, with Africa becoming an important part of its global strategy.
As the powering partner of SiGMA Africa 2026, Alea supports the summit’s mission to encourage sustainable industry growth and cooperation across the continent. Delegates interested in scalable aggregation solutions and African market opportunities can meet the Alea team at Booth 065 during the Cape Town summit.
Continuing the conversation
As discussions around betting integrity, regulation and technological oversight continue to shape the future of sports wagering, SiGMA Africa provides a platform where regulators, operators and integrity specialists can share insight and coordinate action. Readers interested in the wider industry conversation can explore the summit agenda for further sessions addressing regulation, innovation and market growth across Africa. Delegates can also use SiGMA Match to connect with industry peers and continue the dialogue around safeguarding global sport and building a resilient betting ecosystem.
