Oval, rugby’s leading data provider and the only sports data company dedicated exclusively to rugby, has joined the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) as an Associate Member. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to protect rugby’s integrity and safeguard regulated betting markets.
Oval will contribute its expertise in rugby data collection, analysis, and machine-learning driven predictions to support key stakeholders across the ecosystem, including rightsholders, teams, broadcasters, and the betting industry. As an Associate Member, Oval will engage with IBIA and its global network, helping strengthen efforts to monitor and respond to suspicious betting activity. The company’s specialist data capabilities will also contribute to IBIA’s wider integrity work.
Oval’s addition further supports IBIA’s collaborative model, which brings together operators, regulators, sports bodies, and technology partners to identify and address suspicious betting. Through this partnership, IBIA continues to enhance the intelligence base behind its Global Monitoring & Alert Platform (Global MAP), reinforcing its role in safeguarding the integrity of sport, including rugby.
Commenting on the move, James Tozer, Co-Founder of Oval, said: “Joining IBIA as an Associate Member reflects our belief in the value of data and collaboration in supporting a transparent and well-regulated rugby ecosystem. We look forward to engaging with IBIA and its members, contributing our expertise in rugby data, analytics and pricing to support broader integrity efforts across the sector.”
IBIA CEO Khalid Ali said: “We are pleased to welcome Oval to IBIA. Specialist data from sports such as rugby plays an important supporting role in understanding sports and betting environments. By bringing together organisations with complementary expertise, IBIA strengthens its ability to detect and address suspicious betting activity and to protect the integrity of sport.”
IBIA monitors more than 1.5 million matches across over 80 sports each year. Its operator intelligence supports investigations involving sports organizations, regulators, and law enforcement. Sanctions announced in 2025, based on IBIA data, involved 54 matches proven to have been corrupted, with sanctions later imposed on 24 players, teams, and officials across five sports. Most recently, IBIA published its 2026 Q1 integrity report.
About IBIA
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) is a not-for-profit organization funded by betting operators, with a mission to protect betting integrity. IBIA’s Global Monitoring & Alert Platform (Global MAP) uses intelligence from 90+ operator members to identify and share alerts about suspicious betting activity across regulated markets worldwide.
Through its collaboration model, IBIA enables intelligence sharing between operators, sport’s governing bodies, regulators, and law enforcement agencies. It also supports prevention of match and market manipulation through athlete education, policy guidance, and the promotion of integrity standards.
About Oval
Oval is a specialist sports data and analytics provider focused exclusively on rugby. The company delivers high-quality data collection and machine-learning driven insights to support rightsholders, teams, broadcasters, and the betting industry.
Using a suite of proprietary products, platforms, and predictive models, Oval powers performance analysis, player evaluation, fan engagement, improved broadcast storytelling, and market-leading odds. Oval’s mission is to advance innovation in rugby by combining rigorous data capture with cutting-edge analytics to deliver deeper, actionable insights across the sport.
