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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.

1spin4win

1spin4win reveals key 2025 performance results, including a 56% surge in GGR

Published

8 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

1spin4win-reveals-key-2025-performance-results,-including-a-56%-surge-in-ggr

The studio reflects on a successful 2025, marked by major performance milestones, new partnerships, and continued market expansion. Among the year’s key achievements was a 56% increase in GGR compared to 2024.

One of the primary drivers behind this growth was the strengthening of collaboration with clients. Last year, the 1spin4win company reached the milestone of 1,000 global partnerships. The slot provider is now trusted by leading aggregators, including SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, EveryMatrix, Alea, Digitain, and BetConstruct, among others.

Throughout 2025 and in 2026, the studio’s month-to-month retention rate consistently exceeded 40%, highlighting strong, long-term player loyalty. The main contributor to this figure was the 1spin4win portfolio of over 190 classic online slots, regularly updated with four, sometimes five, monthly releases. In 2025, the provider launched 52 titles, presented 10 branded games for partners, and introduced 12 new mechanics.

Recognized for their well-balanced gameplay and transparent math models, 1spin4win’s classic offering also contributed to a robust 64.24% surge in player count and a 52.06% rise in bet count.

Olga Hlukhovskaya, Business Development Director at 1spin4win, shared, “2025 was an outstanding year for us. Alongside the continued success of our slots, our expansion into both new and existing markets also played a significant role in this growth. While maintaining a strong presence in Europe, we significantly strengthened our position in Latin America and Africa. We’re excited to carry this momentum into 2026 and push our games and partnerships even further.”

About 1spin4win

1spin4win is a trusted game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 190 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.

The post 1spin4win reveals key 2025 performance results, including a 56% surge in GGR appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

1spin4win

1spin4win reveals key 2025 performance results, including a 56% surge in GGR

Published

8 hours ago

March 24, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Recognized for their well-balanced gameplay and transparent math models, 1spin4win’s classic offering also contributed to a robust 64.24% surge in player count and a 52.06% rise in bet count.

About 1spin4win

The post 1spin4win reveals key 2025 performance results, including a 56% surge in GGR appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Conferences

Galaxy Gaming to Participate in Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026

Published

8 hours ago

March 24, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

galaxy-gaming-to-participate-in-indian-gaming-tradeshow-&-convention-2026

Galaxy Gaming Inc., the world’s largest independent developer and distributor of casino table games and technology, is going to showcase its latest innovations at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention (IGA). At booth #2551, Galaxy Gaming will highlight its industry-leading portfolio of table games, progressive systems, and licensed content designed to drive performance on the casino floor.

“We’re looking forward to connecting with tribal operators and demonstrating how Galaxy Gaming continues to evolve table games. From iconic licensed experiences like MONOPOLY to our cutting-edge progressive technology, and proven titles like EZ Baccarat, and Player’s Edge, we’re focused on delivering games that engage players and generate meaningful results for our tribal partners. Our commitment to Deal Excitement is on full display at IGA,” said Matt Reback, President and CEO of Galaxy Gaming.

MONOPOLY Reimagined for the Casino Pit

Through an exclusive licensing agreement with Hasbro for table games and ETGs, Galaxy Gaming has brought one of the most recognizable brands in the world, MONOPOLY, to the casino table game pit in a bold new way. The MONOPOLY-branded table games combine familiar brand elements with innovative mechanics, progressive features, and eye-catching visuals, creating a premium player experience that blends nostalgia with modern gameplay.

Built to attract both core and casual players, the MONOPOLY Table Game Progressive delivers added excitement through engaging bonus events and scalable progressive jackpots, making it a standout attraction on the casino floor. It’s perfectly paired with the brand-new Ride Free MONOPOLY edition, which includes exciting bonus wagers like Free Parking, Get Out of Jail Free, and Ride Free!.

Dealing Excitement with GOS Sapphire

Also featured at IGA is GOS Sapphire, Galaxy Gaming’s next-generation table game operating system. GOS Sapphire powers the industry’s most dynamic table game progressives with advanced jackpot configurations, sleek Nebula sensors, and real-time digital tracking. Its flexible electronic bonusing capabilities—including Dynamic Progressive, which can award random multipliers of up to 10x—add excitement to every round of play.

GOS Sapphire also allows operators to link jackpots across multiple tables and properties, providing scalable solutions that enhance both player engagement and operational efficiency.

The Most Comprehensive Table Games Portfolio

Galaxy Gaming continues to offer the most robust table games library in the industry. From proven favorites like 21+3, Lucky Ladies, and EZ Baccarat, to innovative branded and proprietary titles, Galaxy delivers solutions designed to perform across a wide range of tribal casino environments.

Also on showcase at IGA 2026 is Player’s Edge 21 with the electrifying Monster Match Progressive, which thrills players with frighteningly fun animations and multipliers of up to 10X.

The post Galaxy Gaming to Participate in Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.