Latest News

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

Published

5 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.

Africa

African iGaming Alliance names SPRIBE a Platinum Supplier Member

Published

42 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

african-igaming-alliance-names-spribe-a-platinum-supplier-member

The African iGaming Alliance (AiA) has signed a strategic partnership with iGaming supplier SPRIBE, with SPRIBE joining the pan-African industry association as a Platinum Supplier Member.

AiA said the partnership will focus on regulatory engagement, industry research, responsible gaming initiatives, policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement aimed at strengthening regulated gaming markets across African jurisdictions.

According to AiA, the collaboration will also support efforts to promote effective regulation, combat illegal gambling, improve market channelisation and encourage evidence-based policymaking.

Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe, Chief Executive Officer of the African iGaming Alliance (AiA), said:

“SPRIBE’s decision to join the African iGaming Alliance as a Platinum Supplier Member represents a significant endorsement of our vision for a sustainable and well-regulated African gaming industry. As one of the industry’s leading technology innovators, SPRIBE brings valuable expertise, insight, and global experience that will strengthen our efforts to support regulators, governments, operators, and other stakeholders across the continent. We look forward to working closely together to promote responsible gaming, regulatory best practice, and long-term industry sustainability.”

The post African iGaming Alliance names SPRIBE a Platinum Supplier Member appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Digital Wallets

Neosurf partners with Mercado Pago to add betting deposits in Mexico

Published

42 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

neosurf-partners-with-mercado-pago-to-add-betting-deposits-in-mexico

Neosurf has announced a partnership with Mercado Pago to expand wallet-based funding options for online betting customers in Mexico.

Under the integration, Mercado Pago wallet holders will be able to use their Mercado Pago balance to fund online betting accounts via the Neosurf wallet. Neosurf said the rollout is initially focused on the Mexican market and supports transfers to participating sports betting operators.

Mercado Pago described itself as Latin America’s leading fintech platform with more than 56 million active monthly users. Neosurf positioned the deal as part of broader growth in digital wallet adoption across Latin America, with customers seeking mobile-first payment experiences.

Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “Mexico represents a major growth market for both digital payments and online betting, and we’re incredibly excited to partner with Mercado Pago. This partnership creates a new, easy way for Mercado Pago wallet holders to use their balance to fund their online sports betting accounts through the Neosurf wallet. It reinforces our commitment to delivering secure, compliant and player focused payment solutions throughout Latin America.”

The post Neosurf partners with Mercado Pago to add betting deposits in Mexico appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

game launches

Pragmatic Play releases Mahjong Wins Triple Pot with 100,000x bonus prize

Published

42 minutes ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-releases-mahjong-wins-triple-pot-with-100,000x-bonus-prize

Pragmatic Play has launched Mahjong Wins Triple Pot, a new online slot release, the supplier said on 18th June 2026. The title introduces “golden reels” and bonus coin symbols with values of up to 100,000x.

The game uses a 4-5-5-5-4 grid with tumble mechanics. Pragmatic Play said consecutive tumble wins trigger a progressive multiplier trail that increases payouts by 2x, 3x and 5x until the end of the spin.

The supplier added that random symbols on reels 2-4 can be marked gold and then transform into a wild on the subsequent tumble if they form part of a winning combination.

Three scatter types (blue, red and purple) are collected into pots above the middle three reels and can randomly trigger a bonus with eight free spins. Pragmatic Play said the feature marks the full reel below in gold and can award an instant cash prize of up to 100,000x, with boosted multipliers during the bonus.

Pragmatic Play positioned the release as a follow-up to Mahjong Wins Super Scatter.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “Mahjong Wins Triple Pot builds on the classic tile game theme with the chance to win up to 100,000x when triggering the bonus game. It is an exciting, golden addition to our portfolio inspired by the East Asian pastime.”

The post Pragmatic Play releases Mahjong Wins Triple Pot with 100,000x bonus prize appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.