The state Gaming Control Board has signed an agreement with the International Olympic Committee to exchange information to try to detect manipulations in competitions in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.
In a statement jointly issued by the IOC and the Control Board, the organizations said they would trade information to protect gamblers and the integrity of the sports.
Sports books can take wagers on Olympic competitions, but the market is relatively small compared with collegiate and professional football and basketball.
“The Gaming Control Board is honored to be a partner with the International Olympic Committee in the fight against irregular and illegal betting in sports,” board member Shawn Reid said in the statement.
“Nevada is regarded throughout the world as the gold standard in gaming regulation and part of that reputation is tied to the board’s tireless efforts to thwart illegal and irregular betting in general and we are glad to put forth that same level of effort in eradicating illegal and irregular betting in sports specifically,” Reid said.
IOC Communications Director Mark Adams said information supplied by Nevada sports books would be used by the organization’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System. The collaboration builds on an earlier agreement signed prior to the summer Olympics conducted in London in 2012.
In the past, irregular betting patterns detected by sports books have uncovered point-shaving schemes involving collegiate and professional basketball players. Nevada casinos have assisted the NCAA and the NBA uncover cheating in the past.