Executives at U.S. gaming giants Caesars and MGM Resorts International will help steer a new association intended to keep betting on sporting events fair and safe.

According to a Nov. 27 announcement, the Sports Wagering Integrity Monitoring Association will work in partnership with state and tribal gaming entities, law enforcement and other stakeholders to detect and discourage fraud and other illegal activities.

Initial members of the group include most of the major sports betting operators in the U.S., the announcement said.

The initial board of trustees includes Stephen Martino, senior vice president and chief compliance officer for MGM, and Jan Jones, executive vice president of public policy and corporate responsibility for Caesars. George Rover, former deputy director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, will oversee day-to-day operations as SWIMA's chief integrity officer.

The American Gaming Association applauded the formation of SWIMA.

"Today's announcement comes at a critical time as dozens of states and sovereign tribal nations are poised to pursue legal sports betting in 2019," said Sara Slane, AGA's senior vice president of public affairs. "Moving forward, SWIMA will provide an important hub for all stakeholders to work together, further demonstrating the industry's commitment to upholding integrity across all facets of a legal, regulated sports betting market."

In the announcement, SWIMA thanked ESSA, a European association that monitors sports betting, for its support and guidance that enabled a quick operational rollout.

"It is expected that SWIMA will continue to work closely with ESSA and other integrity monitoring groups to combat sports betting related corruption on a global basis," the announcement said.

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