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

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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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BetConstruct AI offers operators three months free sportsbook access ahead of World Cup 2026

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The deal includes a fee waiver across its core suite plus setup and third-party integration discounts for the first three months.

BetConstruct AI has launched a World Cup 2026-focused commercial offer that waives fees for operators across its sportsbook and other core products for three months.

Under the terms published in the release, the company is offering “Complete fee waiver for the first 3 months across Sportsbook, CreedRoomz, Popok, Pascal, Choice, Virtual Sports, and Poker Network,” alongside a “SETUP DISCOUNT (50%)” for “all global market entry setups.” It is also applying a “3RD PARTY INTEGRATION (51%)” discount to “all 3rd Party Game Providers for the first 3 months.”

BetConstruct AI also included two complimentary add-ons it said would be available at “€0 cost” to partners. “Powerfull (Pre-Tournament)” is scheduled to run “8–10 weeks before kickoff” and is positioned around “weekly turnover challenges,” with prizes including “Free Bets (€1–€1,000) or a World Cup Final ticket,” which the company said are “100% funded by BetConstruct AI.”

The second product, “Bet on League (In-Tournament),” is described as an iFrame-based tournament hub that “requires no UI rebuilds,” with features including “an integrated module resembling a prediction market and personalized bet suggestions driven by AI.”

The company framed the campaign around operators preparing for what it called “the highest-concentration betting opportunity of the next four years,” referring to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

More data as follows:

The post BetConstruct AI offers operators three months free sportsbook access ahead of World Cup 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Endorphina Now Licensed B2B Gaming Supplier in Ontario

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Endorphina Limited, a leading provider of certified online slot games, has successfully obtained a Gaming-Related Supplier registration in Ontario, Canada, one of the most regulated iGaming markets globally.

The registration, issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), authorizes Endorphina to supply its gaming content to licensed operators within the province. This milestone marks an important step in the company’s long-term expansion strategy focused on regulated markets, strengthening its presence in North America and enhancing its global footprint.

“Securing approval in Ontario is a significant achievement for Endorphina. It confirms the quality of our products, the strength of our compliance framework, and our readiness to operate in highly regulated environments,” said Head of Compliance at Endorphina, Džangar Jesenov.

Endorphina continues to invest in the development of proprietary online slot games, delivering innovative content tailored to the evolving requirements of international markets.

With a portfolio of 200+ premium slots, the company has built strong partnerships with 6,000+ operators worldwide. It holds an active presence in over 50 jurisdictions, ensuring compliance in regulated markets across Europe, Latin America, and beyond.

With the Ontario registration, the company is well-positioned to expand partnerships with licensed operators and further solidify its reputation as a trusted B2B supplier in the global iGaming industry.

 

The post Endorphina Now Licensed B2B Gaming Supplier in Ontario appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Ethical Gambling Forum lands in Leeds on 28–29 April, hosted by Flutter

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Organisers say the agenda will cover safer product design, regulation, data ethics and AI, with limited places still available.

The Ethical Gambling Forum will take place on 28/29 April in Leeds, UK, with Flutter hosting the event. Organisers say the annual gathering will bring together regulators, operators, technology suppliers, researchers and advocates to discuss ethical and responsible gambling.

According to the organisers, this year’s programme will focus on responsible product design, player protection, regulatory evolution, data ethics and the use of emerging technologies including AI. The agenda is set to include keynote sessions, panel debates, case studies and roundtable discussions.

“Ethical leadership isn’t optional anymore; it’s the foundation of the industry’s future,” said Adrian Sladdin, Co-Founder of the EGF. “This Forum is where meaningful progress happens.”

The organisers said limited spaces remain and directed interested attendees to the event website for registration and the full programme.

More data as follows:

  • Ethical Gambling Forum (EGF) event website: https://www.egf.events Official source for registration and programme details referenced in the release.
  • Flutter Entertainment: https://www.flutter.com Host company named in the release; readers may want corporate context.
  • UK Gambling Commission: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk Primary UK regulator relevant to discussions of compliance and regulatory evolution.

The post Ethical Gambling Forum lands in Leeds on 28–29 April, hosted by Flutter appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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