Fanatics, alongside Integrity Compliance 360 and Signify, will detect abusive comments from bettors across several social media platforms in a bid to protect US athletes from the NFL to the NBA.
Fanatics Betting is aiming to stamp out social media abuse to US athletes related to sports bets placed on them.
In partnership with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC36), the two companies will use data from Signify Group to launch the Bad Actor Program, with Fanatics being the first US sportsbook to join.
At the start of the NFL season in September, the Bad Actor Program will launch to monitor and detect targeted abusive and threatening messages or content directed towards athletes on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube.
Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, said: “This groundbreaking program will hold bettors accountable for threats made against players, coaches, and officials. It falls in line with our core values at Fanatics – respect and tolerance for the athletes and coaches that play the games that we love.
“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.”
Complementing the ProhiBet tool
IC360 described the program as functionally similar to its existing ProhiBet tool, which helps to ensure that athletes, coaches, trainers, officials and other individuals who should not be betting on sports are prevented from doing so. With ProhiBet, IC360 reports to sportsbooks, and those operators are able to restrict betting activity as needed.
Through the Bad Actor Program, Signify will monitor social media messages, analyse reports of abuse from athletes, assess their severity, and escalate serious cases as needed, including potentially referring to law enforcement agencies.
Signify has previously worked with sports organizations including the NCAA to report on betting-related harassment on social media platforms. In an FAQ, IC360 cited a February NCAA survey which found that 51% of Division I men’s basketball student-athletes reported receiving social media abuse, and 46% received negative or threatening messages from someone who bet on their game.
In addition to proactive monitoring, IC360 said that sporting personnel are encouraged to report abusive direct messages, which are harder for firms like Signify to unearth.
One of the most notable cases of player abuse online relating to failed bets was when Boston Celtics star and VP of the NBA Player’s Association, Jaylen Brown, criticised the proliferation of gambling marketing across league broadcasts. He believed that players should not be subject to the scrutiny as it takes a mental toll on players.
NBA players, such as Terry Rozier, have also been embroiled in illegal gambling scandals, as well as former Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach and NBA Champion, Chauncey Billups.
Players across Major League Baseball (MLB) have also raised concerns about a rise in abusive messages linked to prop bets.
IC360 Co-CEO, Scott Sadin, added: “Threats of violence and harassment in sports at arenas and on social media are increasing at an alarming rate, undermining the integrity of the sports betting industry.
“Addressing the individuals with ProhibitBA and Threat Matrix is crucial to protecting athletes and other stakeholders from serious, long-term harm.”
Which other sportsbooks may join?
IC360 described Fanatics as “the first legal sports betting” member of the Bad Actor Program. IC360 confirmed to SBC Americas that Fanatics is the first member of any kind to join the initiative, but did not rule out other non-sportsbook entities joining.
IC360 has an existing partnership with Kalshi, for instance. An IC360 spokesperson suggested that the mechanics of the Bad Actor Program would translate to Kalshi or any other prediction market platforms that wanted to join.
Last year, FanDuel said it banned a bettor who filmed himself verbally abusing Olympian Gabby Thomas in person at a track event, and BetMGM announced a zero-tolerance policy for abuse early this year, vowing to immediately suspend customer accounts where necessary.
