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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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Hell Clock targets PS5 and Xbox Series X|S launch on July 14 alongside Cursed War expansion
Rogue Snail and Mad Mushroom moved the console release from June 2 to avoid Path of Exile’s Return of the Ancients update.
Hell Clock will launch on PlayStation 5 and XBox Series X|S on July 14, 2026, with its first major expansion, Cursed War, releasing the same day on consoles and Steam, according to Rogue Snail and publisher Mad Mushroom.
The date was disclosed during the Latin American Games Showcase alongside a new trailer focused on skills coming in Cursed War: youtu.be/cUWtDLd_u6Y.
Rogue Snail said the console edition and expansion were originally planned for a June 2 launch, but were shifted to avoid Path of Exile’s recent Return of the Ancients update.
Cursed War adds a new story act set during the Paraguayan War of 1864–1870, plus “over 10 new environments,” additional skills and relics, new bosses, and new endgame systems including Endless Nightmares and the full version of Ascension, the company said.
Hell Clock is set against a dark fantasy take on real Brazilian history, including the late 19th century War of Canudos, and is built around ARPG progression with roguelike run structure and build customization.
The post Hell Clock targets PS5 and Xbox Series X|S launch on July 14 alongside Cursed War expansion appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
June offers one of the biggest traffic opportunities of 2026. The start of the FIFA World Cup, combined with the NBA Finals, Formula 1 races, Wimbledon, UFC Freedom 250, and major esports tournaments, creates a unique environment for affiliates looking to scale sports and prediction traffic.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 driving global attention and audience engagement to seasonal highs, N1 Partners is launching the N1 Sport Promo from June 10 to July 20 to help affiliates maximise results during the busiest period of the sports calendar.
Key Sports Events in June
N1 Partners team has selected the most important events of the month to help affiliates plan campaigns and drive traffic effectively.
Soccer
The FIFA World Cup dominates the sports calendar and is expected to generate the highest engagement levels of the year.
11.06–19.07 | FIFA World Cup 2026
Key opening-stage matches:
- 11.06 | Mexico vs South Africa
- 12.06 | Canada vs Bosnia
- 13.06 | USA vs Paraguay
- 14.06 | Brazil vs Morocco
- 14.06 | Germany vs Curacao
- 15.06 | Netherlands vs Japan
- 16.06 | France vs Senegal
- 17.06 | Argentina vs Algeria
- 18.06 | England vs Croatia
- 20.06 | Netherlands vs Sweden
- 21.06 | Germany vs Ivory Coast
- 24.06 | England vs Ghana
- 25.06 | Scotland vs Brazil
- 26.06 | Ecuador vs Germany
- 27.06 | Uruguay vs Spain
- 28.06–04.07 | FIFA World Cup Round of 32
MMA
UFC Freedom 250 will make history as the first UFC event ever held at the White House. Set against one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the event will bring together elite fighters, championship bouts, and a unique atmosphere to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
- 14.06 | UFC Freedom 250
Basketball
The NBA Finals remain one of the strongest traffic drivers for North American audiences.
- 04.06–20.06 | NBA Finals Series Begins
Tennis
June combines the final stages of Roland Garros with the beginning of the grass-court season and Wimbledon.
- 08.06–14.06 | WTA London
- 29.06–12.07 | Wimbledon
Formula 1
In June, Formula 1 continues to generate stable engagement from dedicated sports audiences.
- 14.06 | Barcelona Grand Prix
- 28.06 | Austrian Grand Prix
Esports
Major CS2 tournaments continue attracting valuable younger audiences across Tier-1 markets.
- 02.06–21.06 | IEM Cologne 2026
Cricket
Cricket remains one of the most important verticals for many Tier-1 GEOs.
- 09.06 | Bangladesh vs Australia (ODI)
- 11.06 | Bangladesh vs Australia (ODI)
- 25.06 | England vs New Zealand (Test Series)
How to maximize results from event-driven traffic
June is the beginning of the most anticipated sporting event of the year. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off alongside the NBA Finals, Wimbledon, Formula 1 races, and IEM Cologne, affiliates have access to a constant stream of high-intent traffic opportunities.
For partners working with N1 Bet, RollXO, and Lucky Hunter via N1 Partners, this creates favourable conditions to attract new players, increase FTD volumes, and scale campaigns across Tier-1 GEOs.
To make the most of June traffic:
- prioritize World Cup matches and key tournament stages that naturally generate the highest audience engagement;
- prepare event-specific creatives and landing pages, and build content and advertising funnels around match predictions, odds, and tournament storylines.
- increase budgets during high-profile fixtures and knockout rounds;
- test both Sports Betting and Prediction Market offers to capture different audience segments;
- monitor performance daily and scale winning campaigns quickly while demand remains high.
June sports traffic insights
June is all about momentum. This period combines multiple large-scale events running simultaneously, creating continuous demand across different sports audiences.
The FIFA World Cup opening weeks are expected to drive the highest engagement, fuelled by match predictions, team analysis, odds, and live betting. While football will dominate traffic, tennis, Formula 1, esports, and basketball offer valuable diversification and additional scaling opportunities throughout the month.
Affiliates who react quickly to event-driven demand and adapt campaigns to specific sports audiences are likely to see the strongest results during June and the opening stages of the World Cup.
Top promos for N1 Partners projects in June
Every month, N1 Partners launches a series of seasonal promotions across key brands to help partners increase conversions and maximise the value of the traffic they drive to these offers.
Golden Rush Lottery (RollXO, N1 Bet)
Period: 03.06–23.06
Prize pool: €120,000
Summer Rush Lottery (RetroBet, Jet4Bet, Spirit Casino, SlotLounge)
Period: 09.06–14.06
Prize pool: €30,000
Hall of Champions Tournament (Goldex Casino)
Period: 11.06–14.06
Prize pool: €1,500 + 1,000 FS
Celestial Constellation Lottery (Lucky Hunter)
Period: 12.06–21.06
Prize pool: €5,000 + 2,000 FS
Trophy Chase Lottery (SlotLords, SlotsMines)
Period: 17.06–23.06
Prize pool: €7,000 + 3,000 FS
Wanna learn more? Contact your manager right now!
Join N1 Partners
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, bringing together 14+ casino and betting brands with high LTV and Reg2Dep rates in Tier-1 GEOs.
N1 Partners offers competitive terms for top partners, including CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55%, ensuring stable and scalable performance.
Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners stands out for its transparency, flexibility, and focus on long-term partnerships, supported by a strong product portfolio and advanced retention systems.
Haven’t joined N1 Partners yet? Contact the manager, get involved and make the most of the 2026 sports season.
The post Where to Drive Tier-1 Sport Traffic in June World Cup & N1 Sport Promo appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
June offers one of the biggest traffic opportunities of 2026. The start of the FIFA World Cup, combined with the NBA Finals, Formula 1 races, Wimbledon, UFC Freedom 250, and major esports tournaments, creates a unique environment for affiliates looking to scale sports and prediction traffic.
With the FIFA World Cup 2026 driving global attention and audience engagement to seasonal highs, N1 Partners is launching the N1 Sport Promo from June 10 to July 20 to help affiliates maximise results during the busiest period of the sports calendar.
Key Sports Events in June
N1 Partners team has selected the most important events of the month to help affiliates plan campaigns and drive traffic effectively.
Soccer
The FIFA World Cup dominates the sports calendar and is expected to generate the highest engagement levels of the year.
11.06–19.07 | FIFA World Cup 2026
Key opening-stage matches:
- 11.06 | Mexico vs South Africa
- 12.06 | Canada vs Bosnia
- 13.06 | USA vs Paraguay
- 14.06 | Brazil vs Morocco
- 14.06 | Germany vs Curacao
- 15.06 | Netherlands vs Japan
- 16.06 | France vs Senegal
- 17.06 | Argentina vs Algeria
- 18.06 | England vs Croatia
- 20.06 | Netherlands vs Sweden
- 21.06 | Germany vs Ivory Coast
- 24.06 | England vs Ghana
- 25.06 | Scotland vs Brazil
- 26.06 | Ecuador vs Germany
- 27.06 | Uruguay vs Spain
- 28.06–04.07 | FIFA World Cup Round of 32
MMA
UFC Freedom 250 will make history as the first UFC event ever held at the White House. Set against one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, the event will bring together elite fighters, championship bouts, and a unique atmosphere to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
- 14.06 | UFC Freedom 250
Basketball
The NBA Finals remain one of the strongest traffic drivers for North American audiences.
- 04.06–20.06 | NBA Finals Series Begins
Tennis
June combines the final stages of Roland Garros with the beginning of the grass-court season and Wimbledon.
- 08.06–14.06 | WTA London
- 29.06–12.07 | Wimbledon
Formula 1
In June, Formula 1 continues to generate stable engagement from dedicated sports audiences.
- 14.06 | Barcelona Grand Prix
- 28.06 | Austrian Grand Prix
Esports
Major CS2 tournaments continue attracting valuable younger audiences across Tier-1 markets.
- 02.06–21.06 | IEM Cologne 2026
Cricket
Cricket remains one of the most important verticals for many Tier-1 GEOs.
- 09.06 | Bangladesh vs Australia (ODI)
- 11.06 | Bangladesh vs Australia (ODI)
- 25.06 | England vs New Zealand (Test Series)
How to maximize results from event-driven traffic
June is the beginning of the most anticipated sporting event of the year. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicking off alongside the NBA Finals, Wimbledon, Formula 1 races, and IEM Cologne, affiliates have access to a constant stream of high-intent traffic opportunities.
For partners working with N1 Bet, RollXO, and Lucky Hunter via N1 Partners, this creates favourable conditions to attract new players, increase FTD volumes, and scale campaigns across Tier-1 GEOs.
To make the most of June traffic:
- prioritize World Cup matches and key tournament stages that naturally generate the highest audience engagement;
- prepare event-specific creatives and landing pages, and build content and advertising funnels around match predictions, odds, and tournament storylines.
- increase budgets during high-profile fixtures and knockout rounds;
- test both Sports Betting and Prediction Market offers to capture different audience segments;
- monitor performance daily and scale winning campaigns quickly while demand remains high.
June sports traffic insights
June is all about momentum. This period combines multiple large-scale events running simultaneously, creating continuous demand across different sports audiences.
The FIFA World Cup opening weeks are expected to drive the highest engagement, fuelled by match predictions, team analysis, odds, and live betting. While football will dominate traffic, tennis, Formula 1, esports, and basketball offer valuable diversification and additional scaling opportunities throughout the month.
Affiliates who react quickly to event-driven demand and adapt campaigns to specific sports audiences are likely to see the strongest results during June and the opening stages of the World Cup.
Top promos for N1 Partners projects in June
Every month, N1 Partners launches a series of seasonal promotions across key brands to help partners increase conversions and maximise the value of the traffic they drive to these offers.
Golden Rush Lottery (RollXO, N1 Bet)
Period: 03.06–23.06
Prize pool: €120,000
Summer Rush Lottery (RetroBet, Jet4Bet, Spirit Casino, SlotLounge)
Period: 09.06–14.06
Prize pool: €30,000
Hall of Champions Tournament (Goldex Casino)
Period: 11.06–14.06
Prize pool: €1,500 + 1,000 FS
Celestial Constellation Lottery (Lucky Hunter)
Period: 12.06–21.06
Prize pool: €5,000 + 2,000 FS
Trophy Chase Lottery (SlotLords, SlotsMines)
Period: 17.06–23.06
Prize pool: €7,000 + 3,000 FS
Wanna learn more? Contact your manager right now!
Join N1 Partners
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, bringing together 14+ casino and betting brands with high LTV and Reg2Dep rates in Tier-1 GEOs.
N1 Partners offers competitive terms for top partners, including CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55%, ensuring stable and scalable performance.
Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners stands out for its transparency, flexibility, and focus on long-term partnerships, supported by a strong product portfolio and advanced retention systems.
Haven’t joined N1 Partners yet? Contact the manager, get involved and make the most of the 2026 sports season.
The post Where to Drive Tier-1 Sport Traffic in June World Cup & N1 Sport Promo appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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