Major League Rugby announced an exclusive official sports betting data and betting streaming partnership with Genius Sports Group to connect its competitions with the regulated betting industry.

Ahead of its 2021 season kick-off on March 20, MLR has granted GSG the exclusive rights to capture, manage and distribute the League’s official data with sportsbooks across North America and worldwide. MLR matches are set to be televised on CBS Sports Network, FS1 and FS2, with non-broadcast games to be live-streamed with GSG’s leading network of sportsbook partners.

“We know there is interest in regulated betting on our matches and we have to take proactive measures to safeguard the integrity and transparency of our events,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew. “We have the utmost confidence in Genius Sports Group to manage our data and deliver it to their sportsbook partners, further engaging all fans, old and new.”

As the trusted integrity partner to the PGA TOUR, English Premier League and over 100 leagues worldwide, GSG has agreed to help safeguard MLR from betting-related corruption. Through its 24/7 bet monitoring, educational workshops and model rules and regulations, GSG will help provide MLR with a leading integrity program to help protect the fairness and transparency of its matches.

“With former England captain Chris Robshaw and Wallabies legend Adam Ashley-Cooper amongst the confirmed players for the upcoming season, MLR is rapidly establishing itself as a prominent league for rugby fans in North America and globally,” said Genius Sports Group CEO Mark Locke. “Our technology, real-time distribution and leading network of sportsbook partners will help to enhance engagement and connect MLR with new audiences worldwide.”