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Lack of governance of football friendly (non-competitive) matches exploited by match-fixers
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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Digital Games
Scientific Games Partners with LEIA to Drive Digital Innovation Across European Lotteries
Scientific Games has strengthened its position in the European digital lottery market after being selected as a strategic digital partner by the Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance (LEIA). The alliance brings together five of Europe’s most prominent lottery operators: Danske Spil (Denmark), FDJ United (France), Norsk Tipping (Norway), Svenska Spel (Sweden), and Veikkaus Oy (Finland).
The partnership positions Scientific Games at the center of LEIA’s mission to accelerate digital transformation across member lotteries. By fostering collaboration and shared innovation, LEIA aims to enhance digital growth, strengthen market positions, and ensure responsible engagement with modern and younger adult audiences.
According to Morten Eriksen, CEO of LEIA, innovation is a cornerstone of the alliance’s strategy. The selection of Scientific Games reflects LEIA’s commitment to developing digital experiences that align with evolving consumer expectations while maintaining responsible gaming standards. Through this collaboration, LEIA seeks to balance technological advancement with social responsibility, a growing priority for European lottery operators.
Formed as a shared innovation platform, LEIA enables its members to access a collective marketplace for digital games and services. This structure allows participating lotteries to benefit from improved scalability, faster time-to-market, and reduced development costs through shared resources and purchasing power. The alliance model is designed to streamline operations while encouraging creativity and experimentation in digital lottery content.
Under the newly signed two-year agreement, Scientific Games will deliver digital game projects aligned with LEIA’s strategic initiatives. As the world’s largest creator and supplier of lottery games, Scientific Games will also provide localized digital titles from its extensive portfolio of more than 270 premium games developed by SG Studios. In addition, the company will design bespoke digital games tailored to the unique preferences and regulatory environments of individual LEIA markets.
Matt Lynch, President of Digital at Scientific Games, highlighted the long-standing relationship between the company and LEIA’s member lotteries. He emphasized that the expanded partnership will support lotteries in reaching new audiences, enhancing engagement, and shaping the future of digital lottery entertainment across Europe.
Through this collaboration, LEIA will gain access to Scientific Games’ expansive library of over 100 licensed brands, alongside a growing catalog of digital instant games distributed via the SG Content Hub. This platform connects innovative third-party studios with lottery operators worldwide, expanding content diversity and accelerating innovation. Studios such as Random State, BWLoto EHF, and Harman Connected Services GmbH have also been selected as part of the LEIA collaboration, further enriching the alliance’s digital ecosystem.
Scientific Games currently serves more than 30 iLottery customers globally, delivering advanced digital solutions including CRM systems, loyalty programs, promotions, mobile and web applications, and second-chance initiatives. With operations spanning 150 lotteries in 50 countries, the company continues to play a pivotal role in shaping both retail and digital lottery experiences worldwide.
The partnership with LEIA underscores Scientific Games’ commitment to driving digital innovation at scale while supporting responsible growth in the European lottery sector.
The post Scientific Games Partners with LEIA to Drive Digital Innovation Across European Lotteries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Company Will Deliver Digital Game Projects to European Lotteries Group LEIA
Scientific Games has been selected as a digital partner to Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance (LEIA), a collaboration between five leading European lotteries: Danske Spil in Denmark, FDJ United in France, Norsk Tipping in Norway, Svenska Spel in Sweden and Veikkaus Oy in Finland.
“LEIA is an international collaboration between lotteries sharing the same goal to foster open innovation, strengthen market position and boost digital growth locally” said Morten Eriksen, CEO of LEIA. “Our focus on innovation has naturally led to the selection of Scientific Games as our digital partner. We support digital development that meets modern customer expectations, including younger adult audiences in a responsible way.”
LEIA was formed to help its partner lotteries accelerate digital innovation by creating a shared marketplace for relevant games and services. The alliance aims to increase operational efficiency and scalability, enabling each lottery to launch new content faster while reducing costs through collective purchasing power and shared development.
Under the new two-year agreement, Scientific Games—the world’s largest creator and provider of lottery games—will deliver digital games projects to LEIA based on strategic initiatives determined by the Alliance. Scientific Games will also offer localized games from its portfolio of more than 270 premier digital titles developed by SG Studios, and develop bespoke games tailored to specific LEIA markets.
“Scientific Games is a long-time, trusted business partner to the individual lotteries in the alliance, providing a broad portfolio of products and services. We’re thrilled to further extend our collaboration through this strategic digital partnership with LEIA, helping these lotteries expand their reach, engage new audiences and continue shaping the future of lottery entertainment,” said Matt Lynch, President of Digital for Scientific Games.
Through the partnership, LEIA will gain access to Scientific Games’ portfolio of more than 100 licensed brands, as well as a growing library of digital instant games created by partner studios made available through the company’s SG Content Hub, which connects innovative studios and their content to lotteries around the world.
Lynch added, “Scientific Games congratulates our game studio partners, Sweden-based Random State, BWLoto EHF and Harman Connected Services GmbH, who have also been selected for this LEIA collaboration.”
Serving more than 30 iLottery customers globally, Scientific Games offers world-leading digital programs including CRM, loyalty, promotions, second-chance, mobile and web applications. The company provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide, offering entertaining game content featuring the largest portfolio of licensed brands in the lottery industry.
© 2026 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The post Scientific Games Enters Digital Collab with Lotteries Entertainment Innovation Alliance appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
TLDR:
- Movember is partnering with the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA, and Game Changers EMEA Championship as the Official Mental Health Partner, supporting players, team staff and the wider community for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Date: January 20, 2026 [London]
What you need to know:
- Riot Games and Movember announce a multi-year partnership focused on embedding mental health and wellbeing into the EMEA esports ecosystem.
- The partnership will integrate mental health and wellbeing frameworks, support systems, and initiatives across the leagues.
- Movember will provide tools and resources to better manage competitive pressure, build healthier habits, and be encouraged to discuss mental health openly.
- Planned initiatives for the upcoming year include mental health training for players and staff, and player-only roundtables on stress and coping strategies, with a view to use this to cascade content and guidance to the wider esports community.
- Movember will share messaging on the broadcasts and on-site during events that highlight the importance of mental health and help reduce the stigma around honest discussions and seeking help when needed.
- Together, Movember and Riot Games aim to make the gaming environment a healthier environment for all.
Quote from Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports, EMEA:
“Supporting the wellbeing of the VCT EMEA community, our players, and team staff is something we are committed to strengthening, so we’re thrilled to welcome Movember as a partner. While supporting open conversations and ensuring our players know trusted resources are available is a priority, this partnership also helps raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing across the wider VCT EMEA community. Movember’s expertise will help normalize these discussions beyond the competitive stage, and provide the tools so everyone connected to our ecosystem feels supported by professionals committed to making a positive impact.”
Quote from Maximilian Peter Schmidt, Director of League of Legends Esports, EMEA
“Partnering with Movember allows us to take our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our players and teams to the next level. We want our community to feel empowered to speak openly about the challenges they face and know resources are available if needed. Gaming should be a safe and healthy space for everyone, and this partnership will help us ensure that the environment is maintained and strengthened.”
Quote from Dan Cooper, Global Director, Innovations at Movember:
“Movember is committed to bring community first solutions to today’s most urgent mental health challenges. Esports is a focus area for our work in mental health, and by working with Riot Games we aim to have a real impact and drive positive change in esports.”
The post MOVEMBER TEAMS UP WITH RIOT GAMES EMEA ESPORTS appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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