Connect with us

Latest News

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

Published

on

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.

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Emerging Markets

QTech Games integrates Blue Tower Games content for emerging markets

Published

on

qtech-games-integrates-blue-tower-games-content-for-emerging-markets

QTech Games has signed a content partnership with Blue Tower Games, adding the supplier’s catalogue to QTech’s aggregation platform for clients in emerging markets. The agreement was announced on 8 June 2026.

QTech said the integration gives operators access to Blue Tower Games content across multiple formats, including slots as well as instant win, bingo, table and crash-style games.

Titles cited in the rollout include crash-mechanics games positioned around sports, such as Cricket Showdown and Knockout King, plus mini games and game show-style releases including Sorcerer’s Spin. More traditional content referenced includes slots Western Gold Rush and Vikings Hunt For Wealth, bingo title Casino War, instant win game Hi-Lo, and table games including Baccarat and Teen Patti.

Philip Doftvik, QTech Games’ CEO, said: “Blue Tower’s sprawling range of trending games captures the current zeitgeist perfectly. Theirs is a growing and constantly innovating library, delivering consistent support to the growth of our broad gaming-vertical spread, courtesy of some quality graphics, gameplay and unique features. Like us, they understand that diverse and localised solutions represent the pathway to success.

“Together, we can continue to raise the bar and shape a localised experience for global players. We can’t wait to witness how these games perform across a range of untapped markets which, in many cases, represent new territory for Blue Tower.”

Param Patel, COO at Blue Tower Games, added: “At Blue Tower, we pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence, consistently testing the limits of game design with unique mechanics, adaptive layouts, and dynamic features that keep players coming back for more. Our dedicated team combines creative vision with technical expertise to craft games that not only look and sound incredible but also offer compelling and rewarding gameplay. With a focus on innovation and a deep understanding of player preferences, Blue Tower Games continues to lead the industry, creating unforgettable experiences that resonate with players across the planet.

“This deal with QTech greatly improves our product distribution across emerging territories, delivering our fantastic games to a range of untapped operators. Powered by the fine-tuned recommendation algorithms of QTech’s game lobby, which cut through the white noise of competing releases and match the right game to the right audience, we look forward to seeing how our titles capture the imaginations of a swathe of new players across emerging markets.”

The post QTech Games integrates Blue Tower Games content for emerging markets appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Affiliates

Digicode brings Diger Suite iGaming ecosystem to SBC Summit Americas 2026

Published

on

digicode-brings-diger-suite-igaming-ecosystem-to-sbc-summit-americas-2026

Digicode will attend SBC Summit Americas 2026 on June 9–11 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, where it plans to present its Diger Suite iGaming technology ecosystem.

The company positions Diger Suite as a modular stack aimed at operators managing multi-jurisdiction expansion, including platform operations, payments, compliance, affiliates and player engagement. Digicode said the product is designed to support “more control and flexibility” as operators modernize legacy infrastructure.

Digicode said the Diger Suite includes DigerRGS (remote game server), DigerPAM (player account management), DigerPay (payment orchestration), DigerClick (affiliate management), and DigerCompanion, described as an AI-powered operational assistant for automating support processes and routine tasks.

During the event, Digicode said its team will discuss platform ownership, operational scalability, and approaches to reduce reliance on rigid SaaS and revenue-share models, alongside demos of the suite.

“SBC Summit Americas brings together organizations that are actively navigating the realities of multi-market growth,” said Elkhan Shabanov, CEO Americas at Digicode. “As operators expand across jurisdictions, the need for flexible, ownership-driven technology becomes increasingly important. Through the Diger Suite, we help businesses gain greater control over their platforms, streamline operations, and build foundations that support sustainable long-term growth.”

The post Digicode brings Diger Suite iGaming ecosystem to SBC Summit Americas 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Jackpot

Winaday Casino turns 18 with new Alona’s Wild Realm slot and June promos

Published

on

winaday-casino-turns-18-with-new-alona’s-wild-realm-slot-and-june-promos

WinadayCasino.eu is marking its 18th birthday with a month-long promotion schedule through June, led by the launch of a new slot title, Alona’s Wild Realm, and a set of daily bonus offers.

The new game, Alona’s Wild Realm, is described by the operator as a 5×4, 28-payline video slot with a $0.28–$44.80 bet range. Winaday says the title includes Colossal symbols, Wilds, and a Free Spins Bonus round that triggers with 3–5 BONUS symbols for up to 30 free spins, with 3×3 Colossal symbols and “all wins DOUBLED.”

Winaday also highlighted a late-May jackpot payout: player BIGMIKE888 won $97,146 on Gods Of Egypt. The operator said the game has been “long retired from most casinos but still paying at Winaday.”

For June 8–14, Winaday’s published “Birthday Bonus Bash” includes: 50 free spins (code “MAGIC,” 1x per day, 33x wagering, valid on Alona’s Wild Realm); a 135% match for VIPs and 90% for all players on deposits $15–$300 (code “FRIENDSHIP,” 1x per day, 35x wagering, valid on Alona’s Wild Realm); and a 125% match on deposits $100–$400 plus a 95% match on $25–$99 (code “ADVENTURE,” redeem 2x per day, 27x wagering, valid on all Slotland Ent. slots & keno).

The operator said the broader June calendar also includes free chips on Winaday Originals (early June), weekly VIP free spins on Buffalo Wild Wins, Cowboys vs Aliens, Four Leaf Fever, and 7Heaven (mid-June), and a late-June “grand finale” with free spins on Diamond Riches 2 and travel-themed slot bonuses.

The post Winaday Casino turns 18 with new Alona’s Wild Realm slot and June promos appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania