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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.

Casino Content

Habanero launches Nuwa Deluxe slot with variable paylines and two-tier free spins

Published

51 minutes ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

habanero-launches-nuwa-deluxe-slot-with-variable-paylines-and-two-tier-free-spins

Habanero has launched Nuwa Deluxe, a 5×3 slot themed around Chinese mythology. The game introduces a variable payline system and a progression-style Free Games feature that can unlock a second-tier bonus, according to the supplier.

In the base game, paylines can upgrade at random on any spin, moving from 28 to 38, 58 or 88 active lines. The title also includes expanding Wilds that cover the entire first and third reels.

During Free Games, players collect five element symbols. Completing the set during the round unlocks Super Free Games, where full-reel Wilds are guaranteed on two reels on every spin.

Habanero said Nuwa Deluxe supports its Jackpot Race and Buy Feature. The launch follows recent releases Steampunk Plinko and Raiden Shogun.

Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, commented: “Nuwa Deluxe is an exciting new release that boasts a variable payline system to keep engagement high at the base game, while the element collection mechanic in free spins gives players something to work towards beyond simply triggering the bonus.

“The Super Free Games tier is where the action really kicks in with guaranteed full-reel Wilds on every spin. It is another strong addition to our portfolio and one we expect to have a genuine impact with players.”

The post Habanero launches Nuwa Deluxe slot with variable paylines and two-tier free spins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetVictor

BetVictor Launches 100/1 England World Cup Offer

Published

51 minutes ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

betvictor-launches-100/1-england-world-cup-offer

BVGroup’s flagship brand, BetVictor, has launched a new World Cup promotion offering new customers an enhanced 100/1 odds on England to win this summer’s tournament, as excitement continues to build ahead of football’s biggest stage.

The enhanced price forms part of BetVictor’s wider World Cup campaign, with the brand set to roll out a range of offers, odds boosts and engagement activations throughout the tournament.

With England widely viewed as one of the strongest teams heading into the competition, BetVictor’s latest campaign is designed to tap into growing excitement around the Three Lions and the return of international football’s biggest stage.

The campaign is being supported by a bespoke TV advert, alongside radio and OOH activity, as BetVictor continues to expand its football-focused marketing around major sporting events.

BetVictor spokesman Sam Boswell said: “We know everyone’s favourite thing when having a flutter is getting a bit of value, which is exactly why we’re offering new customers 100/1 on England to finally bring football home this summer. It’s a huge price for what we hope could be a massive moment for the Three Lions and their fans. All our existing players will also get to join in the fun with exciting Super Boosts and Odds Boost tokens throughout the tournament which promises to be bigger and better than any World Cup we have seen before.”

The enhanced 100/1 offer is available for a limited period via the BetVictor app and website.

The post BetVictor Launches 100/1 England World Cup Offer appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

executive-moves

Yaspa hires Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales

Published

51 minutes ago

May 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

yaspa-hires-justin-fears-as-us-director,-enterprise-sales

Yaspa has appointed US fintech and gaming executive Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales, as the company pushes further into North America. The company said Fears will be based in its Atlanta office and will lead strategic commercial growth across the region.

Yaspa said Fears will focus on working with gaming operators to modernise payment experiences using real-time bank payments and transaction intelligence, and will work with its US and global commercial leadership teams to scale partnerships and adoption.

Fears brings more than 18 years of experience across payments, fintech, SaaS, and AML compliance in the gaming sector, according to Yaspa. His previous roles include senior positions at Kinectify, First Data Corporation, Glory Global Solutions, DiTronics Financial Services, NEXGEN Technology, and CASINOMONEY. Yaspa also noted he is a United States Air Force veteran.

James Neville, CEO of Yaspa, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Justin to the team as we accelerate our footprint in the US market. His deep operational understanding of gaming-focused financial infrastructure, compliance technologies, and enterprise sales leadership makes him an incredible asset. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our local team and underscores our commitment to helping North American operators lower costs, reduce fraud, and elevate the player experience through open banking.”

Fears said: “I’m excited to join Yaspa at such an important stage in the company’s growth journey. The combination of open banking, innovative payment solutions, and intelligent transaction data represents a significant opportunity within the US iGaming market, particularly as operators continue to prioritise player experience, fraud reduction, and payment efficiency. Yaspa has built an innovative platform uniquely positioned to support the evolving needs of regulated operators, and I look forward to helping expand the company’s presence and strategic partnerships across the US.”

Yaspa said it was named winner of the Real-Time Payments Innovation award at the 2025 Payments Awards and was included in the CB Insights Top 100 Fintechs list in the past 12 months. The company also referenced a $12m investment round in July led by Discerning Capital, and said it has opened a new Atlanta office and a tech hub in Leeds, UK, in August 2025.

The post Yaspa hires Justin Fears as US Director, Enterprise Sales appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.