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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.

API integration

Hub88 Strengthens Aggregation Platform with Solidicon’s Artistic Game Portfolio

Published

11 minutes ago

December 22, 2025

Wladimir P.

hub88-strengthens-aggregation-platform-with-solidicon’s-artistic-game-portfolio

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The crash game vertical is currently one of the most crowded in iGaming. For aggregators like Hub88, the challenge isn’t just adding more games, but adding different games. Solidicon’s debut of a “racing crash” mechanic with Quackinator offers operators a fresh twist on the standard “multiplier curve” format, potentially engaging a demographic looking for more visual excitement than the typical line-graph interface.

Hub88, the fast-growing aggregation platform, has announced a new content partnership with Solidicon, a Swedish game studio recognized for its visually distinct and artistic approach to casino game design.

This integration brings Solidicon’s full suite of titles onto Hub88’s seamless API, making them immediately available to a global network of operators.

A New Spin on Crash Games The headline addition to the platform is Quackinator, a title marketed as the “world’s first racing crash game.” As the crash genre continues to dominate player preferences in emerging markets, Solidicon is attempting to evolve the format by blending high-speed racing mechanics with the traditional risk-reward crash structure.

Alongside Quackinator, the deal includes other high-performing titles such as Navigator and Supershoot Crash, all of which are designed by Solidicon’s team—a group self-described as “a collective of nerds and dreamers” founded in 2006.

Management Commentary The partnership focuses on delivering “novel” experiences to players who are increasingly fatigued by standard slot mechanics.

Jess Inglott, Head of Supplier Relations at Hub88, emphasized the visual quality of the new additions:

“Solidicon’s games bring a bold, unforgettable touch to the casino experience. Adding their titles to our platform allows operators to offer visually striking, memorable content that stands out in a crowded market.”

For Solidicon, the deal represents a significant distribution upgrade. Robert Ackerman, CEO of Solidicon, noted:

“Partnering with Hub88 provides a practical way to broaden distribution of our games and simplify access for operators. Their platform is well regarded for its stability and ease of use, which makes this partnership a strong fit for us.”

The post Hub88 Strengthens Aggregation Platform with Solidicon’s Artistic Game Portfolio appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Andre Medeiros

Greentube expands Latin American footprint with Brazino777 partnership

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2025

Wladimir P.

greentube-expands-latin-american-footprint-with-brazino777-partnership

Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division, has strengthened its presence in Latin America after partnering with Brazino777, an online casino and sports betting brand known for its player-first experience and fast withdrawals, to roll out a selection of its top-performing titles to the Brazilian market.

Following the agreement, Greentube’s platform is now live with Brazino777 in Brazil, marking an important milestone in the supplier’s regional growth strategy and reinforcing its commitment to delivering market-relevant content in newly regulated jurisdictions.

As part of the collaboration, Brazino777 players can enjoy some of Greentube’s most popular new releases, including Piggy Prizes:Wand of Riches 2, Trinity Treasures Wukong Buy Bonus, and Caichen Triple Blossom.

Alongside these titles, a curated selection of Greentube’s iconic classic games have also been integrated, including Book of Ra deluxe, Diamond Link: Mighty Sevens, and Cash Connection – Golden Sizzling Hot.

These games were selected for their proven performance in regulated markets and their strong appeal to Brazilian players, making them an ideal fit for Brazino777’s growing casino offering.

Now, with Brazil’s regulated online gaming landscape offering fresh opportunities, the collaboration is well positioned to reach new heights as the region continues to thrive.

Greentube’s latest Brazilian partnership further reinforces its strategic focus on Latin America as a key growth market. With a diverse portfolio of innovative slots and well-established fan favourites, the company continues to strengthen its position as a leading supplier worldwide.

Wilson Francisco, Sales and Key Account Manage at Greentube, said: “Our launch with Brazino777 is a major step forward for our strategy in Brazil. Their deep understanding of the local audience, paired with Greentube’s commitment to delivering top-performing, culturally relevant content, is a powerful combination.

“We’re confident that this partnership will elevate the player experience and help set new standards in the market.”

Andre Medeiros, Country Manager for Brazil at Brazino777, said: “Greentube’s portfolio is recognised globally for its quality, performance and player appeal. As a brand rooted in Brazilian culture, Brazino777’s focus is simple: a fun, smooth experience our community can enjoy every day.

“Partnering with Greentube reinforces that promise by expanding the entertainment options available to our players in Brazil.”

The post Greentube expands Latin American footprint with Brazino777 partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

B2B

Yggdrasil strengthens YGG Masters roster with Nordic game provider Lakka Studios

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2025

Wladimir P.

yggdrasil-strengthens-ygg-masters-roster-with-nordic-game-provider-lakka-studios

Yggdrasil has expanded its standout YGG Masters program with the addition of Nordic independent game studio Lakka Studios, introducing fresh concepts to its premium global content portfolio.

As the 20^th studio to join the YGG Masters family, Lakka Studios aligns with Yggdrasil’s vision of elevating the iGaming landscape through innovative, high-quality content from the industry’s most exciting creators.

Steeped in Nordic spirit, Lakka Studios introduces a refreshing blend of clever mechanics, polished visuals, and player-first design. Its approach to light-hearted and engaging gameplay adds a new dimension to the YGG Masters catalogue, enhancing the variety of games available to Yggdrasil’s operator partners and players worldwide.

Lakka Studios will be another early adopter of Yggdrasil’s cutting-edge Game in a Box platform, created to streamline the end-to-end development process, as well as offering a ready-made path to market through its distribution network.

Zoe Bird, Head of Masters at Yggdrasil, at Yggdrasil, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lakka Studios as the 20^th studio to join our Masters community.

“The studio brings a familiar Nordic identity that complements the broad range of studios within our network. We have every confidence that Lakka Studios will quickly build a devoted following across our global operator partners.”

A spokesperson for Lakka Studios added: “Joining the YGG Masters program marks an exciting step in our journey, and we’re incredibly proud to collaborate with a partner that shares our passion for quality and innovation.

“Yggdrasil’s support and technology provide the ideal foundation for us to bring our creative vision to life.”

The post Yggdrasil strengthens YGG Masters roster with Nordic game provider Lakka Studios appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.