Latest News

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.

David Nilsen Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus

Kongebonus Awards 2025 Winners Announced

Published

15 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

kongebonus-awards-2025-winners-announced

Kongebonus, the premier provider of iGaming news and all things casino and betting in Norway, has revealed the winners of the Kongebonus Awards 2025, with this year’s outcomes disclosed alongside ICE Barcelona.

The Kongebonus Awards, the sole iGaming awards from Norway, are determined by a mix of votes from actual players nationwide and editorial assessments, with this year’s edition reflecting a noticeable change in both reach and participation. The awards garnered a total of 1,192 verified votes, reflecting a 25% rise from the previous year, highlighting their increasing significance for players and industry stakeholders.

Among those rejoicing in triumph this year, Print Studios earned the prestigious Best New Slot award for Uncle Profit. Filip Wargeus, Chief Commercial Officer at Print Studios, stated: “This is incredibly meaningful to us. It’s a genuine reflection of the entire team that our efforts are succeeding and are valued by fans, players, and communities.

ELK Studios was acknowledged as the Most Innovative Game Developer, obtaining 24.75% of the votes, with Jacob Nordwall, Head of Marketing at ELK Studios, stating: “Winning the Most Innovative Game Provider award in 2025 from the Kongebonus Awards is significant for us, particularly since it is solely determined by the Norwegian player community. This strongly shows that our efforts are valued and genuinely connect with players in Norway, and that our commitment to remaining innovative and advancing the industry is being acknowledged.”

Other significant winners featured Push Gaming, recognized as Best Game Developer 2025, while Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Olympus earned the Readers’ Hall of Fame accolade. In contrast to the other categories, the Hall of Fame honors games that have established enduring popularity and attained legendary status throughout time.

David Nilsen, Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus, said: “The purpose of the Kongebonus Awards is to showcase which studios, games and suppliers have genuinely stood out over the past year. We are not only looking at commercial success, but at quality, innovation and how well experiences are delivered to players. Because the results are shaped by open voting from Norwegian players, the awards reflect what truly resonates with the community while still maintaining a strong industry perspective.”

The post Kongebonus Awards 2025 Winners Announced appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

155.io

155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour

Published

15 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

155.io-breaks-the-mold-again,-introducing-the-cctv-game-genre-via-rush-hour

155.io, the live content studio transforming real-world games, has launched CCTV.Game, an innovative genre created entirely from live CCTV footage collected worldwide. The category debuts with its inaugural title, Rush Hour. The live game operates around the clock to convert real-life traffic into immediate viewing and wagering entertainment.

The CCTV Game signifies a new path for 155.io, broadening its chaos-oriented philosophy into completely live, real-world settings. Created using numerous live CCTV feeds from around the globe, the game transforms everyday activities into quick, engaging, and immediately bettable entertainment.

Running nonstop, Rush Hour enables players to wager on straightforward, distinct results during rounds lasting under a minute – such as the number of cars that cross a junction or the quantity that turns left or right within a specified timeframe. Each round is dynamic, spontaneous, and influenced by the organic rhythms of the world, instead of standard RNG methods.

Rush Hour’s live recordings feature diverse locations such as Sydney, Swindon, Arizona, and Taipei, as well as landmarks like Patong Beach in Thailand and Abbey Road in London. From everyday crossroads to landmark locations, the entire world transforms into the game board. Crafted for mobile devices, Rush Hour is immediately comprehensible and genuinely engaging, providing a much-needed option to conventional casino formats. CCTV Game embodies 155.io’s fundamental philosophy: chaotic reality, straightforward games, and entertainment designed primarily for mobile.

The launch enhances 155.io’s attraction to the upcoming player generation, merging live-stream culture with instant betting features.

CCTV Game and Rush Hour can now be accessed via Hub88 or through direct integration.

Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, commented: “Rush Hour is the first expression of our CCTV Game genre – think Big Brother blended with Polymarket. It’s completely live, and the world is now our studio. CCTV.game takes real-world chaos and turns it into something instantly playable and genuinely entertaining – this is content the next generation will queue up to try.”

He added: “Once you realise the entire world can be a live game feed, there are no boundaries. Live traffic content is just the start – from live wildlife to iconic sporting locations – we’re only just setting off on our journey of what real-world chaos entertainment can be.”

The post 155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

MGA Games Launches Poseidon’s Orb Slot Featuring Sticky Wilds and Free Spins

Published

16 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

mga-games-launches-poseidon’s-orb-slot-featuring-sticky-wilds-and-free-spins

MGA Games, a prominent Spanish firm specializing in content creation for international casino operators, will debut Poseidon’s Orb on January 28, its latest video slot for the .com markets. This title encourages players to join an explorer on an epic quest to find the legendary city of Atlantis.

The game is a Video Slot with 5 reels and 3 rows, offering 10 paylines, and includes Wild and Scatter symbols that activate Free Spins. A remarkable aspect is the Sticky Wilds mechanic in the Free Spins round—an inventive element that boosts thrill and raises winning possibilities. It additionally includes an optional purchase of Free Spins, adjustable for each operator.

The theme of Poseidon’s Orb, drawn from global myths and legends, aims to attract a diverse audience of players. Its stunning visuals and film-inspired score further guarantee an engaging experience brimming with thrills and rewards.

Classified under popular themes like “Adventure,” “Mythology,” “Treasures,” and “Fantasy,” this latest MGA Games Video Slot serves as a valuable enhancement to any operator’s collection, improving player retention and profits, while the Free Spins purchase feature offers an extra revenue opportunity.

The post MGA Games Launches Poseidon’s Orb Slot Featuring Sticky Wilds and Free Spins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.