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

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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.

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2025 Ads Safety Report

PropellerAds 2025 Ad Safety Outlook

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PropellerAds, a top performance advertising platform worldwide, has just published the 2025 Ads Safety Report, which offers an in-depth analysis of ad fraud trends, protective measures for the platform, and guidance for advertisers on compliance.

The report emphasizes that as fraudulent methods grow more advanced, the organization’s multi-tiered security measures are essential in protecting advertisers, traffic providers, and end users.

Advancing Ad Fraud Methods and High-Risk Areas

In 2025, ad fraud advanced considerably, transitioning from basic techniques to more intricate, infrastructure-intensive schemes. Fraudsters exploited cloaking, malware distribution networks, and social engineering tactics aimed at messenger accounts, frequently across various ad formats. PropellerAds enhanced initial moderation and foundational detection to identify high-risk actions before campaigns launched.

Throughout the year, the platform processed 729,794 campaign rejections, mainly driven by content compliance and user safety issues, with adult content and malware alerts representing the largest portions. These actions guaranteed that campaigns were halted prior to delivery, safeguarding advertisers, publishers, and end users, while upholding a consistent and reliable advertising landscape. In comparison to 2024, campaign rejections rose by 35%, indicating enhanced moderation reach and more robust preventive measures.

Markets of high value, such as Turkey and Spanish-speaking areas, saw increased levels of fraudulent behavior. Approximately 80% of identified attacks aimed at users of Windows and Android. Fraud patterns typically integrated technical, behavioral, and content indicators, emphasizing the necessity for ongoing monitoring and thorough infrastructure evaluation.

High-Risk Accounts and Safeguarding Methods

Cloaking continued to be the primary high-risk infraction, making up more than 80% of verified account suspensions. This method consists of displaying varying content to moderation systems and users, masking the actual essence of campaigns. Ransomware, unsuccessful identity verification, and scam schemes also played a role in account suspensions, albeit to a smaller degree. Fraud that relies on heavy infrastructure necessitates multi-tiered enforcement and ongoing monitoring to guarantee platform safety.

In 2025, schemes of fraud grew more advanced. Cloaking methods encompassed multi-tiered traffic management, selective content distribution, and decentralized architecture. Malware distribution has progressed from basic redirects to immediate file downloads or complex interactions. Incidents of Messenger account hijacking rose, featuring phishing sites, counterfeit login forms, and mobile-centric social engineering assaults. Certain campaigns even utilized compromised or left-behind servers and domains, necessitating thorough technical and behavioral analysis for detection.

AI and automation contributed to fraud prevention by analyzing behavioral patterns, identifying high-risk signals, and aiding expert evaluations. Although fraudsters tried to utilize AI for creating counterfeit documents or modifying creative assets, PropellerAds guarantees that all campaigns undergo expert reviews and infrastructure checks prior to traffic delivery, stopping high-risk operations from accessing users.

Advertiser Adherence and Risk Oversight

PropellerAds advises advertisers to adhere closely to platform guidelines, verify that ad content aligns with format and regional specifications, comprehend the entire user experience, and track infrastructure and domain reputation. The use of cloaking or misleading tactics is deemed high-risk and typically leads to permanent account termination.

The PropellerAds team highlights that preventing fraud is an ongoing and developing process that demands technology, expert evaluation, and collaboration across the ecosystem. The organization continues to prioritize improving platform safety, ensuring transparency, and safeguarding all individuals involved in the advertising ecosystem.

The post PropellerAds 2025 Ad Safety Outlook appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Belatra

Belatra Rings in 33rd Anniversary During SiGMA South America

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Belatra Games, the expert in online slots development, is celebrating its 33rd anniversary at this year’s SiGMA South America in São Paulo, Brazil, where the company will host partners, clients, and industry acquaintances to honor the occasion at Booth M70.

The occasion offers an ideal setting for Belatra to contemplate over thirty years of advancements in the worldwide iGaming sector. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for developing captivating and immersive gaming experiences, partly fueled by enduring partnerships in global markets.

Attendees at the Belatra booth will have the opportunity to connect with the LatAm team from Buenos Aires, headed by Lucila M. Barletta, Head of Accounts LatAm, and learn about the company’s newest titles and the opportunities arising in LatAm. Belatra’s European team members will likewise be in São Paulo to commemorate the milestone alongside partners and guests.

To commemorate the event, Belatra will hold a unique stand celebration, encouraging attendees to toast with the team while engaging in a special booth giveaway that includes various prizes.

Festivities will occur at Booth M70 in the Transamérica Expo Center, as Belatra eagerly invites industry partners to join in celebrating 33 years of innovation.

Sergey Chernyavski, Belatra Games’ CCO, said: “Celebrating 33 years of Belatra at SiGMA South America is a special moment for our team. A huge part of our success has been inspired by relationships within the iGaming community and events like this give us a chance to say thanks to our partners and friends. LatAm and Brazil are big markets for us and we look forward to showcasing our latest titles and plans for the region.”

The post Belatra Rings in 33rd Anniversary During SiGMA South America appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Booming Games

Booming Games Drops Lucky Charms Trio

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  • Featuring a 5×3 layout, the game provides a highest win possibility of 5,000x.
  • Mystery Symbols may show up completely or partially at any moment, producing enchanting rewards when aligned throughout the reels.
  • Gamers can dive right into the excitement with the Trio Bonus feature, offering immediate exhilaration.

Booming Games, a top supplier of high-quality gaming content, has officially released Lucky Charms Trio. The game features a 5×3 layout with a highest possible win of 5,000x. Set against a stunning, vibrant backdrop of beautiful green hills and shimmering rainbows, Lucky Charms Trio boasts a variety of thrilling features aimed at enhancing the enjoyment for players.

The grid is adorned with classic symbols of good fortune, including four-leaf clovers, shiny horseshoes, and joyful leprechauns, creating an ideal setting for St Patrick’s Day celebrations later this month. To create a feeling of thrill, Mystery Symbols may show up either partially or completely at any moment, allowing players to align symbols across the reels to produce enchanting rewards.

Activating the Lucky Pots Feature reveals as many as seven unique bonus variations; Boost, Multiply, and Collect, in various combinations. Every pot can provide its own bonus independently or combine with others, and the maximum payout occurs when all three features trigger simultaneously for the largest rewards. To maintain the momentum, players have the option to utilize the thrilling Boost+ feature, or dive directly into the excitement with Buy Bonus and Trio Bonus for immediate enjoyment.

Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “Step into the realms of sparkling fortune with Lucky Charms Trio, our vibrant new slot game where shimmering reels and playful surprises build excitement with every spin. With St Patrick’s Day just around the corner, our latest release demonstrates our ability to develop games that connect with both local and global audiences. Fast-paced, dynamic gameplay and large win potential combine to create an ultimate gameplay experience packed with adventure. Play Lucky Charms Trio now!”

The post Booming Games Drops Lucky Charms Trio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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