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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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RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS NAMES TOM MCMAHON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SLOT OPERATIONS AND MARKETING
Resorts World Las Vegas is continuing the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Tom McMahon as Senior Vice President of Slot Operations and Marketing.
A respected leader with more than two decades of experience in gaming and hospitality, McMahon steps into his role effective immediately.
“Tom’s deep expertise in luxury casino operations and marketing makes him a powerful addition to our team,” said Carlos Castro, President and Chief Financial Officer of Resorts World Las Vegas. “We look forward to the leadership he will provide in this essential function at Resorts World Las Vegas.”
McMahon has held senior roles at some of the most recognized names in the industry, including Wynn Resorts, Bellagio Resort & Casino, Las Vegas Sands, Venetian | Palazzo and most recently Sycuan Casino Resort. At Resorts World Las Vegas, he will lead initiatives across slot operations, marketing and the Genting Rewards Loyalty Program, with a focus on innovation, guest engagement and operational excellence.
Said McMahon, “Returning to Las Vegas to join a forward-thinking property like Resorts World is an incredible opportunity. I am eager to help shape the next chapter of growth by enhancing the guest experience and building on the strong foundation already in place.”
For more information about Resorts World Las Vegas, please visit rwlasvegas.com.
The post RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS NAMES TOM MCMAHON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SLOT OPERATIONS AND MARKETING appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Expanse Studios, the B2B game development division of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has received official certification from Croatia’s Ministry of Finance for its flagship game Super Heli, with additional titles in the company’s 56-game portfolio expected to receive approval in the coming weeks for the EU member state.
The certification marks a strategic entry into a market that generated US$484.70m in 2024, with projected growth at a CAGR of 8.4% during 2024-2030. Super Heli, Expanse’s most popular crash-style game, becomes the first of the studio’s titles approved for the Croatian market, paving the way for broader portfolio distribution.
Tapping Into High-Growth European Market
Croatia represents a compelling opportunity for B2B gaming suppliers, with the Online Casinos segment alone projected at US$218.10m in 2024. According to iGamingToday’s latest market research, Croatia’s gambling market will reach €720.42 million by 2025, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated markets.
Among the key market benefits are:
- Accelerating digital adoption – Internet penetration jumped from 76% in 2020 to 83% in 2023
- Over 20.6 million tourist arrivals in 2023 following Schengen Zone entry
- Over 500,000 Croatians expected to engage in regular online gambling by 2027
Strategic Value for the Company
The certification strengthens Expanse Studios’ European footprint at a critical juncture. With 56 proprietary titles and 500+ B2B partners globally, Expanse is expected to capture a meaningful share in the growing EU market.
“Croatia certification is more than market access—it’s validation of our content quality and compliance capabilities in demanding EU jurisdictions,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “With our flagship title Super Heli already approved and more games in the pipeline, we’re very excited for the opportunities this markets brings us”
Competitive Advantage in Regulated Markets
Croatia’s regulatory framework favors established, compliant B2B providers. Operators must obtain licenses requiring significant capital investment, and only licensed casino games operators who have at least one brick-and-mortar casino can offer online gambling. This creates high barriers to entry and positions certified B2B suppliers like Expanse as essential partners for operators.
The post Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The iGB London 2025 event is set to push the boundaries of the online gambling market, and Kristina Jakovleva, Business Development Manager at SEOBROTHERS, will represent Slotsjudge. The event is expected to gather over 15,000 attendees and more than 300 sponsors, and Kristina plans to cover technological trends, discuss affiliate marketing strategies, and foster industry-specific networking.
Event Overview: About iGB London 2025
As one of the iGaming industry’s key global events, iGB London brings together thousands of professionals to drive innovation and growth. Following the success of previous editions, with over 6,500+ affiliates and 150+ programs on offer, the upcoming event promises even greater opportunities for business and collaboration.
Over 15,000+ industry specialists are to join the event this time. This year, participants will discuss technological trends, regulatory updates, affiliate marketing, and branding strategies. Participants can gain actionable insights and learn from successful case studies, making the event both exciting and informative.
About Kristina Jakovleva: Expertise & Plans
Starting her career in education at Liverpool John Moores University, Kristina has been in the iGaming market for years, working as a customer support specialist, affiliate manager, and ultimately as a Business Development Manager at SEOBROTHERS.
Years of experience and a focus on growth enabled Kristina to understand which approach best suited the company quickly, and she successfully implemented strategic partnerships and business growth initiatives to benefit from industry-specific networking.
Expectations & Final Thoughts
Attendees can enjoy iGB London 2025 on 2–3 July 2025 at ExCeL London, and an exclusive AI Concierge service will be available to cover basic questions about the event. Nick Hill, Executive Director at Premier Hill, says that ‘it represents the entire industry, and it is a must-attend show.’
It’s an excellent opportunity for the Slotsjudge team to gain performance-driven insights and plan future growth over the next 12 to 24 months, while other participants can learn from Kristina Jakovleva’s work, reinforcing Slotsjudge’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the overall growth of the iGaming industry.
The post Kristina Jakovleva Represents Slotsjudge at iGB London 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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