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Lack of governance of football friendly (non-competitive) matches exploited by match-fixers

Published

4 years ago

December 1, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Football friendly matches are wide open for match-fixing due to a lack of regulation according to new research, with more than 250 friendlies involving European clubs showing signs of suspicious activity during 2016-20. The results come from a three-year study funded by the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme and led by the University of Nicosia Research Foundation.

A survey of 700 players in Cyprus, Greece and Malta conducted by the project also found that:

More than a quarter of players (26.5%) had played in a club friendly they suspected had been manipulated.
More than a quarter (26.3%) of approaches to fix a friendly match were made by club officials and 15% by other players.
Club officials were the instigators in 19% of approaches to manipulate friendlies and were the main beneficiaries in 26.3% of approaches.

The research study found that international and national football federations have been slow to establish where responsibility lies for friendlies, particularly when clubs from different countries are involved in non-competitive matches played in a third country. Some European football federations do not track where clubs go on pre-season and mid-winter tours.

This lack of sporting governance and regulation, combined with the availability of these games on betting markets around the world, notably with poorly or unregulated betting operators in jurisdictions such as Curaçao and the Philippines, who may themselves have links to criminality, leaves these games at greater risk of potential exploitation by match-fixers.

To address this, the report, Combating Match Fixing in Club Football Non-Competitive Friendlies, proposes:

That UEFA enforces regulation of friendlies on all 55 member associations
That match agents are barred from owning or controlling clubs, just as players agents are
The formation of a body to represent match agents in future negotiations with international bodies such as FIFA and UEFA on regulation
Establishing data standards that prevent the sale of live match data to poorly and unregulated betting operators

Unlike competitive matches, which are usually covered by agreements between data companies and competition organisers, friendlies are a free-for-all.

Data from these games is being collected and sold to poorly and unregulated betting operators, which do not report signs of suspicious activity, which is often a licensing requirement for well-regulated operators. This sporting event data collation and sale for betting does not currently fall within the scope of regulation, leaving a potential ‘blind spot’ in terms of market and consumer protection.

Lead investigator, Professor Nicos Kartakoullis, President of the Council, University of Nicosia, comments:

“The combination of a lack of regulation, oversight and information makes these matches easier to manipulate than competitive matches.

“This research shows that in terms of governance, friendly matches need to be considered just like competitive matches.

“With the data for 4,000 friendly matches being offered for betting purposes around the world each year, it is also vital that the betting companies receiving that data are operating from well-regulated jurisdictions and report suspicious betting to protect the integrity of those events.”

The research was led by the University of Nicosia Research Foundation and included the International Betting Integrity Association, EU Athletes, CIES and the football players unions of Cyprus, Greece and Malta as project partners.

Golisimo

Golisimo Goes Live: MioMedia Presents a New Sports-Driven iGaming Brand

Published

26 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

MioMedia is excited to unveil Golisimo, a sports-first iGaming platform designed to combine the thrill of sports betting with the excitement of casino entertainment in a single, seamless ecosystem. Built around energy, competition, and drive, Golisimo immerses players in a fast-paced, football-inspired gaming experience.

The name Golisimo reflects the exhilaration of a perfectly executed goal — confidence, rhythm, and precision — and this football DNA drives the platform’s design. Players move effortlessly between sportsbook and casino, with each vertical reinforcing the other, creating a balanced iGaming journey.

Sports and Casino in Perfect Harmony

Sportsbook: Live betting, virtual sports, and horse racing set the tempo, with intuitive navigation and live widgets keeping players engaged.
Casino: Top slot titles, live games, and jackpots sustain the excitement between bets, ensuring a continuous flow of action.

“Golisimo immerses players in a realistic football match environment — where decisions matter and performance is rewarded,” said the MioMedia Team. “Every element of the platform keeps players at the center of the action, where the next big win is as thrilling as a goal hitting the back of the net.”

Signature Gamification: The Golisimo Game
At the heart of the platform is the Golisimo Game, a unique gamification layer linking all verticals. Players earn Energy by depositing, playing casino games, betting on sports, or joining tournaments. Energy allows participation in head-to-head duel challenges:

Take free kicks
Defend as the goalkeeper
Score goals to win rewards

Top performers receive casino and sportsbook prizes, including Freespins and Freebets usable across the Golisimo platform. Players can also upgrade strikers and gear to progress through five competitive leagues, each offering increasingly generous rewards.

Fast-Paced Competition with Spin Rally
The platform’s Spin Rally feature introduces shared slot sessions every 20 minutes, with the top three players splitting a prize pool. Short cycles, visible leaderboards, and frequent rewards encourage repeat play and long-term engagement.

Additional Features to Boost Engagement

Exciting tournaments and competitive leagues
VIP levels and exclusive promotions
Dedicated shop and Wheel of Fortune rewards

A Standout Opportunity for Affiliates
Golisimo’s sports-driven design, gamification mechanics, and strong retention potential make it a compelling product for affiliates seeking high-performing, differentiating content.

“The ball is at your feet — drive traffic to MioMedia and start promoting Golisimo today!” the team added.

The post Golisimo Goes Live: MioMedia Presents a New Sports-Driven iGaming Brand appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

GR8 Tech

GR8 Tech at SAGSE Latam: Where Platform for Champions Meets the Region

Published

26 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-at-sagse-latam:-where-platform-for-champions-meets-the-region

GR8 Tech, a leading provider of high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions, will exhibit at Booth 103 during SAGSE Latam 2026 on March 18–19. With Latin America recognized as a key growth region, GR8 Tech is bringing its full platform ecosystem to the show to demonstrate how operators can become the next iGaming champions.

The company will showcase five flagship solutions, each designed to empower operators in fast-growing, competitive markets:

ULTIM8 Sportsbook – Flexible, high-performance sportsbook tailored for fast-moving Latam markets
Hyper Turnkey – End-to-end iGaming infrastructure for rapid, reliable market entry and operations
Crypto Turnkey – Platform optimized for VIP and crypto-first player acquisition and retention
Aff.Tech – Affiliate management solution tracking performance and optimizing acquisition across channels
Infinite Casino Aggregation – Extensive game catalog accessible via a single integration

These solutions form part of GR8 Tech’s Platform for Champions, a comprehensive proposition combining technology, operator expertise, and a collaborative community designed to drive measurable success.

“While Brazil often dominates the conversation around Latam iGaming, the rest of the region represents substantial growth potential,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO of GR8 Tech. “SAGSE Latam is the perfect venue to showcase the opportunities in markets like Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, and to connect with forward-thinking operators ready to expand.”

GR8 Tech has built a reputation as an award-winning provider, trusted by leading operators worldwide. The company has executed over 100 successful client cases and earned multiple industry recognitions, including Platform Provider of the Year at the SBC Awards 2025.

Attendees are invited to visit Booth 103 to explore GR8 Tech’s solutions and book meetings to discuss strategies for achieving rapid growth and market leadership in Latin America.

The post GR8 Tech at SAGSE Latam: Where Platform for Champions Meets the Region appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Golisimo

Golisimo Goes Live: MioMedia Presents a New Sports-Driven iGaming Brand

Published

27 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

MioMedia is thrilled to announce Golisimo, a sports-first iGaming brand built

around energy, competition, and drive. Designed to unite sports betting and casino entertainment within a single ecosystem, the platform delivers fast-paced play with football-inspired gamification.

The name of the brand, Golisimo, captures the emotion of a perfectly executed goal — confidence, rhythm, and that decisive moment when timing and performance align. This football DNA runs through the entire brand, shaping a platform where players move effortlessly between sportsbook and casino, always staying in the game.

On Golisimo, sports betting sets the tempo—like the opening whistle—while casino gameplay sustains the flow. Live betting, virtual sports, and horse racing form a strong, action-driven core, with prominent live widgets and intuitive navigation keeping players close to the action. Alongside this is a fully integrated casino offering with top slot titles, live games, and jackpots. The result is a balanced iGaming experience where sportsbook and casino reinforce each other like a well-coordinated team.

“Golisimo immerses players in a realistic football match environment — where decisions matter and performance is rewarded,” commented the MioMedia Team. “Every element on the platform is designed to keep players at the center of the action, where the next big win is as close as the ball hitting the back of the net.”

At the heart of the platform is the Golisimo Game — a signature gamification layer acting as an interactive bridge across all verticals. As players make deposits, play casino games, bet on sports, or join tournaments on the platform, they earn in-game currency called Energy. Energy unlocks access to the Golisimo Game, where players compete in head-to-head duel challenges:

Take free kicks
Defend as the goalkeeper
Win the match and enjoy rewards

The player who scores the highest number of goals wins the duel and receives casino and sportsbook rewards, including Freespins and Freebets, which can be used across the Golisimo platform.

In addition, players can upgrade strikers and gear to boost in-game performance and progress through five competitive leagues, each offering more generous rewards. This progression system encourages continued play and deeper engagement.

Another gamification feature, Spin Rally, introduces fast-paced competition through shared slot sessions that run every 20 minutes. The top three performers share a prize pool. Short cycles, visible competition, and frequent rewards make Spinrally a powerful driver of repeat play.

Complemented by exciting tournaments, a dedicated shop, VIP levels, promotions, and a Wheel of Fortune, Golisimo is built to sustain long-term engagement and strong player lifetime value.

For affiliates, Golisimo represents a unique product with high retention potential that truly stands out in the market. The ball is at your feet — drive traffic to MioMedia and start promoting Golisimo today!

The post Golisimo Goes Live: MioMedia Presents a New Sports-Driven iGaming Brand appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.