Fanatics Joins Signify, IC360 to Launch Bad Actor Program

Fanatics is stepping up its efforts to protect athletes from the wrath of angry bettors.

The sports betting giant partnered with Signify Group and IC360 to launch the new Bad Actor Program (BAP). It will use AI technology to identify instances of abuse on social media and the people behind them. The program will also work with victims of targeted abuse through private messaging on social media.

Fanatics is the only sportsbook to join the effort, but the operator is encouraging its rivals to do so as well.

Harassment Over Lost Bets Continues

Over the last few years, NCAA Charlie Baker has been sounding the alarm over harassment from angry bettors. He shared the influx of complaints they have received, many of which come from athletes who can’t afford personal security. This makes them more vulnerable, making threats and harassment hit harder.

Pro athletes have also felt the uptick as mobile sports betting spreads across the US. However, those players and their teams have more resources to hold those angry bettors responsible.

While many states have listened to Baker’s warnings, very few have found solutions. Threats of bans have been issued alongside other punishments; identifying social media users can be difficult, if not impossible. This has led the issue to continue to grow, but proponents of BAP hope that will begin to change.

Signify Brings Threat Matrix to BAP

Signify Group is an industry-leading AI company focused on sports betting. It has been developing tools to help analyze the industry and has now turned its attention to protecting athletes.

According to a press release from the company, it will be using its Threat Matrix tool to help BAP succeed.

Threat Matrix, our unique threat detection and social media intelligence platform, proactively monitors for online abuse and threats directed at athletes, teams, officials and sporting organizations around the world. Across multiple sports and competitions, our investigations consistently reveal a significant proportion of abuse originating from individuals frustrated by – or even trying to influence - betting outcomes.

BAP Brings Hope, But Will it Work?

There is a lot to love about the new BAP, which represents a major upgrade in the fight to protect athletes, coaches, and officials. The ability to use AI to identify violations and make law enforcement's job easier. If it works as intended, the BAP could become the gold standard in the sports betting industry.

However, there is also reason to question whether the new program will work. While AI tech is developing fast, we have seen that it’s far from perfect. That raises questions about Threat Matrix and its ability to correctly identify violations and those behind them. 

Errors in that process could have legal consequences and could lead law enforcement to distrust the tech. That could lead victims to avoid using the resource, fearing inaction that might make the harassment even worse. 

While we have plenty of reason to believe the BAP will succeed, its early results may end up dictating its future.