Match-fixing is almost as old as the sport itself, and at first, it used to be a tool to essentially secure victory or better results for the desired team by bribing referees or even the rival. But, as sports betting became widespread and more popular, the focus shifted from this primary goal to a completely different one: to secure financial benefit by betting on the in-advanced secured outcome of the match. Now, match-fixing goes from individual doings all the way to the well- organised betting syndicates.
In the past 15 years, and especially after the emergence of live betting, the number of sports events available through bookmakers has significantly increased. It has also led to an increase in the number of amateur and semi- professional sports events available for betting. Te participants and referees of such events often are punters placing bets on their own matches. A variety of markets then enables them to fix the particular outcomes that will not affect the match's final result.
Tis is a daily struggle for bookmakers worldwide, and the bookmakers are often the first to detect such behaviour.
Is match fixing more prevalent in some sports and not others?
Yes, one could argue that it is easier to fix the match in some sports, but I believe that the greater risk of match-fixing is related to the professional level of the sports event and the region from which the event is coming. It is much easier to temper the outcome of the matches in individual sports, such as tennis or table tennis, simply because it is enough to approach one participant.
Lower-ranking ITF tournaments with modest prize funds are notorious in this regard, and we have witnessed that dozens of tennis players were banned from playing tennis due to match- fixing. Te second problem is the corruption of umpires in charge of entering results into the official database, which feed providers use for odds compiling. Delay in this process opens a possibility for late bets in live betting.
In team sports, the most apparent example is in football. Besides fixed bets on the outcome of the match, for corrupted referees and defenders it is fairly easy to fix the bets on bookings, corner kicks or penalty kicks.
Unfortunately, it is not rare that even the management of the team is involved in scams in lower leagues.
Are there certain jurisdictions where sports betting corruption is more prevalent than others?
Yes, absolutely! Countries where corruption is rooted in society are usually the ones where the
P52 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
Robert Matijevic Managing Director, Seven Sportsbook NSoft
NSoft is an internationally recognised software and hardware solutions supplier for the betting and igaming industry. Its portfolio includes omnichannel, turnkey betting solutions for the operators with powerful sportsbook software, a wide range of draw-based games, a palette of virtual sports, lotteries, SSBTs and casino games. NSoft’s services encompass a fully modular iGaming Platform, which with 110+ clients in over 40 countries.
“Countries, where corruption is rooted in society, are usually the ones where the problem with match-fixing is more acute. In addition, the
inefficient judiciary that is not dealing with more serious criminal activities or state- level corruption doesn't
represent any threat to the participants in match-fixing and bet-fixing.” Robert Matijevic
problem with match-fixing is more acute. As opposed to more developed countries, such jurisdictions don't have dedicated institutions to deal with sports integrity. In addition, the inefficient judiciary that is not dealing with more serious criminal activities or state-level corruption doesn't represent any threat to the participants in match-fixing and bet-fixing.
Te most significant portion of fixed matches comes from the Balkans, East Europe and CIS countries.
How important is cooperation between sports betting operators, data suppliers and sports organisations in the fight against match fixing?
All participants in the process have to cooperate in fighting this problem with success. Betting operators are at the source of the problem, and they are the first to identify the anomaly. It is often a common-sense question to tell that something is off and might be a possible fix.
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