Suspicion of manipulation in football is highest
Current data from the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) shows that the risk of manipulation remains high worldwide. The IBIA is primarily committed to protecting its members, consumers and partners such as sports associations from fraud caused by sporting events and related betting.
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) is sounding the alarm: the number of matches suspected of match-fixing rose to a worrying 56 in the first quarter. This is a worrying increase compared to just 34 alerts in the previous quarter. A worrying increase of 12% compared to the same period last year suggests that the risk of manipulation and betting fraud remains high worldwide.
IBIA Director Khalid Ali expressed concern: “The significant increase in reported alerts highlights the constant threat facing our members, the sport and regulators from corrupt activities.” The IBIA emphasizes that its alerts are based on detailed global customer account data available only to IBIA and its members.
Football particularly affected
What is particularly worrying is that most cases of match-fixing occurred in football. With 24 cases, it is an increase of 50% compared to the previous quarter. Tennis, basketball and e-sports were also affected.
North America reported an alarming concentration of suspected cases in basketball, while South America was primarily affected by football. However, Asia remains the epicenter of betting fraud. With 23 cases in the first quarter, followed by North and South America with ten cases each. The IBIA identified Turkey as the country with the most cases of match-fixing, with football coming first. These alarming figures underline the urgency of taking action to protect the integrity of sport and curb global fraud.
Manipulation at sporting events
The manipulation of sports competitions, a phenomenon that undermines the integrity of sports, occurs when athletes, referees or other parties use unfair practices to influence the course or outcome of a sporting event in order to gain personal advantage. These fraudulent practices are not only unethical, but also have far-reaching implications for the credibility and value of sport as a whole.
Combating manipulation in sport is crucial, both from a sporting and regulatory perspective. Sports organizations, gaming authorities and other interest groups work closely together. The IBIA plays a central role in developing guidelines and mechanisms that ensure the transparency and fairness of sports competitions. By implementing strict monitoring and control measures, suspicious activities can be identified early and dealt with effectively.
Maintaining the integrity of sport is a fundamental concern as it not only ensures fair opportunities for athletes and teams, but also strengthens the trust of fans and spectators in the sporting world. A comprehensive approach to combating manipulation in sport is therefore essential to protect and preserve the future and value of sport.
