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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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With the release of a dynamic promotional video starring its ambassador, Simon Msuva, LEONBET continues a new chapter in its partnership with the Tanzanian national team forward.
Filmed in Tanzania, the campaign captures the energy of local football culture and highlights Msuva’s personality both on and off the pitch. One of the key moments of the video features the famous “Msuva Flip”- the player’s signature goal celebration, a backflip that fans immediately recognise whenever he scores.
The video is fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the passion of Tanzanian football fans.The campaign also features Baraka Mpenja, a well-known sports commentator and voice of Tanzanian football, who brings additional authenticity and connection to the local audience.
Simon Msuva is known not only for his performances on the field but also for his strong charisma. According to the production team, he quickly immersed himself in the filming process and brought the same vibrant energy and character that fans associate with his game.
During the recent season, Msuva has scored several memorable goals that drew attention from fans and sports media alike. That excitement and emotion became the foundation for the new campaign.
“This campaign is part of our broader strategy to get closer to sports fans and build a stronger emotional connection with our audience. Working with talents like Simon Msuva allows us to speak the same language as the fans and be present where their passion is.” said Jérôme J. D., Regional Director of Operations.
The video continues the collaboration between LEONBET and Tanzanian national team captain Simon Msuva and supports the brand’s ongoing engagement with football fans in Tanzania.
The post LEONBET Shares a New Campaign with Tanzanian Ambassador Simon Msuva appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform provider, will present its full ecosystem at Stand N150 during SiGMA South America 2026, taking place from April 7–9 in São Paulo, Brazil.
With South America rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic iGaming regions, BetConstruct AI is positioning itself as a key partner for operators looking to scale efficiently and competitively. The company delivers a vast offering, including over 140,000 pre-match events, 90,000+ live matches monthly, and 45,000+ casino games from 350+ providers.
One Platform, Multiple Growth Drivers
Visitors to Stand N150 will experience live demos across six core solution areas:
Acquisition, Content & Entertainment
A comprehensive offering spanning sportsbook, casino aggregation, affiliate marketing through Affigates, and six flexible front-end solutions, including crypto-ready platforms.
Payments & Licensing
With 500+ payment integrations and a fully managed licensing service, BetConstruct AI enables operators to enter regulated South American markets with confidence and compliance.
Retention & CRM
AI-powered CRM tools predict churn up to 14 days in advance, identify high-value players early, and automate personalized engagement across multiple channels. A game recommendation engine further enhances player activity and revenue potential.
Risk Management
The Umbrella AI system combines sportsbook and casino risk, AML, and responsible gaming into a unified solution. Advanced tools detect fraudulent behavior early and forecast negative-value players well in advance.
Operational Services
End-to-end support includes licensing, digital marketing, CRM management, trading, risk control, and infrastructure protection.
BetConstruct AI Poker
A flexible B2B poker network offering turnkey, white-label, or API integration, supported by strong liquidity, built-in security, and Web3-ready infrastructure.
World Cup-Focused Engagement Tools
To help operators maximize opportunities around the 2026 World Cup, BetConstruct AI is introducing two zero-cost promotional solutions:
Powerfull (Pre-Tournament Campaign)
A challenge-based campaign running before kickoff, rewarding players with Free Bets that accumulate and activate during the tournament—driving engagement, reactivation, and cross-product activity.
Bet on League (In-Tournament Hub)
A fully integrated World Cup hub featuring standings, schedules, and interactive tools that convert fan engagement into betting activity. It includes AI-powered bet suggestions and requires no additional development or fees.
Beyond the Expo
In addition to the exhibition, BetConstruct AI will host an exclusive Harmony ChoiceMe event on April 7 at Tetto Lounge in São Paulo, offering industry leaders a premium networking environment.
As the South American market accelerates, BetConstruct AI invites operators to visit Stand N150 to explore how its platform, tools, and expertise can drive the next phase of growth.
The post BetConstruct AI Showcases Full Platform at SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
With the release of a dynamic promotional video starring its ambassador, Simon Msuva, LEONBET continues a new chapter in its partnership with the Tanzanian national team forward.
Filmed in Tanzania, the campaign captures the energy of local football culture and highlights Msuva’s personality both on and off the pitch. One of the key moments of the video features the famous “Msuva Flip”- the player’s signature goal celebration, a backflip that fans immediately recognise whenever he scores.
The video is fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the passion of Tanzanian football fans.The campaign also features Baraka Mpenja, a well-known sports commentator and voice of Tanzanian football, who brings additional authenticity and connection to the local audience.
Simon Msuva is known not only for his performances on the field but also for his strong charisma. According to the production team, he quickly immersed himself in the filming process and brought the same vibrant energy and character that fans associate with his game.
During the recent season, Msuva has scored several memorable goals that drew attention from fans and sports media alike. That excitement and emotion became the foundation for the new campaign.
“This campaign is part of our broader strategy to get closer to sports fans and build a stronger emotional connection with our audience. Working with talents like Simon Msuva allows us to speak the same language as the fans and be present where their passion is.” said Jérôme J. D., Regional Director of Operations.
The video continues the collaboration between LEONBET and Tanzanian national team captain Simon Msuva and supports the brand’s ongoing engagement with football fans in Tanzania.
The post LEONBET Shares a New Campaign with Tanzanian Ambassador Simon Msuva appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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