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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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Betting.za.com Publishes its 2026 Guide to Online Betting in South Africa
Betting.za.com, South Africa’s leading source for legal online betting information, has released its 2026 update aimed at helping local punters find licensed online betting options, compare reputable bookmakers, and understand what South African online gambling law does (and doesn’t) allow.
With South Africa’s betting market continuing to grow, players face more choice than ever — but also more noise. Betting.za.com’s 2026 hub is built around one simple idea: if you’re betting online, you should be doing it through bookmakers licensed by provincial gambling boards, supported by clear terms, secure payments, and responsible gambling tools.
A Legal-First Approach for Everyday Bettors
Betting.za.com positions its core content around regulated betting, highlighting that online betting is legal in South Africa when the operator is licensed by a provincial board. The site’s updated guidance explains that online sports betting and horse racing betting are legal when done through licensed operators, with clearer safeguards and standards associated with regulated platforms.
The platform also publishes an “Online Gambling Law” guide intended to reduce confusion and misinformation, breaking down how regulation works and what players should check before placing a bet (including licence details and the role of provincial authorities).
What Betting.za.com is Bringing to the Table in 2026
The 2026 update centres on three practical things South African bettors tend to care about most:
1) Better comparisons of licensed bookmakers
As part of the 2026 update, Betting.za.com’s bookmaker comparison pages include dedicated coverage of well-known South African-facing brands. Below are examples of brands covered in the 2026 comparisons, each profiled using the same checklist:
- Hollywoodbets is positioned as a trusted local name with especially strong horse racing coverage, alongside major sports markets and regular promotions for South African punters. Plus also free no deposit bonus offer on sign up with hollywoodbets.
- ZARbet is presented as a proudly South African bookmaker built around a simple, low-friction betting experience, with support for popular local payment options like Ozow and SiD.
- 10bet is highlighted for deep coverage across major sports — particularly football — plus a strong range of pre-match and in-play markets and a competitive welcome offer for new customers.
- JabulaBets is covered as an all-in-one platform combining sportsbook, online casino and esports, with a heavy emphasis on promotions, tournaments and VIP-style perks for active players.
- Lucky Fish is profiled as a newer entrant with a “try it first” style welcome, combining sports and casino-style entertainment and a no-deposit sign-up incentive.
Each operator profile is structured around the same practical checkpoints — licensing and trust signals, key sports and markets, promotions (where relevant), local payment options, withdrawal expectations, and the terms players should read before placing a bet — so readers can compare like-for-like instead of relying on hype.
2) A clearer “how to bet” path for new players
The 2026 update strengthens Betting.za.com’s step-by-step walkthrough for new users: choose a licensed site, register (including potential ID/FICA steps), deposit, pick a sport and market, place a bet, and withdraw. To reduce confusion for first-time punters, the guide also unpacks the betting language that frequently trips people up — covering common bet types and market formats such as match results, totals, handicaps, and accumulators, along with how odds translate into potential returns.
In addition, Betting.za.com highlights practical “first-bet” considerations, including minimum odds requirements on certain promotions, how bet settlement works, and the difference between bonus bets and withdrawable cash. The result is a clearer, more structured starting point designed to help new players move from registration to placing their first wager with fewer surprises.
3) Local banking and payout expectations
Betting.za.com’s 2026 hub highlights South African-friendly deposit routes — including EFT, cards, and eWallet options such as Ozow and SiD — while setting expectations around withdrawals and encouraging players to use trusted, regulated payment methods. The update adds more context around what typically affects payout timelines in real-world use, including verification requirements, banking cut-off times, first-time withdrawal checks, and the policies that can vary between operators.
Betting.za.com also emphasises the importance of reviewing a bookmaker’s banking and payments information before depositing, with a focus on supported methods, typical processing windows, and any common limits or conditions that may apply. By setting out these practical checkpoints in plain language, the guide aims to help players choose deposit and withdrawal methods with greater confidence and fewer friction points.
How Betting.za.com Rates Betting Sites
Rather than simply listing operators, Betting.za.com describes a 10-step evaluation process designed to separate reputable, compliant brands from those that fall short. The checklist includes:
- Licensing and regulation
- Security (such as SSL encryption) and transparent terms
- Ease of registration and FICA process
- Support for local banking methods (including SiD, Ozow, and EFT)
- Promotions and “no deposit” style offers (where applicable)
- Betting markets and odds depth across popular sports
- Site/app performance
- Customer support responsiveness
- Withdrawal speed (with reviewers claiming they confirm payout times)
- Responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion
Spotlighting Popular SA Bookmakers and Key Trust Signals
In its “Best Sports Betting Sites in 2026” section, the site presents a short list of featured operators and includes trust markers such as licensing authorities and headline promo information. Examples on the page include operators regulated by bodies such as the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator, the Gauteng Gambling Board, and the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board, depending on the brand.
Helping Punters Avoid Illegal or Risky Options
A major theme of the platform’s legal content is helping players understand the line between regulated betting and activities that South African law does not license. For example, Betting.za.com’s law guide states that while licensed sports betting is legal, online casino real money style “interactive gambling” products are not licensed in South Africa, and it warns against offshore casino sites due to risks such as frozen withdrawals and lack of consumer protection.
It also advises players to check for provincial licence details (often in a site footer or terms), verify secure payment methods, and look for responsible gambling measures as compliance signals.
Comment
“South Africans shouldn’t have to guess whether a betting site is legal, or learn the hard way which rules matter when it’s time to withdraw,” said Dennis Kumar, Chief Editor at Betting.za.com. “In 2026, we’re focused on clarity — reviewing licensed bookmakers, explaining how betting works in plain language, and pointing players to the information that helps them bet safely and responsibly.”
The updated 2026 guide, bookmaker reviews, betting how-tos, and legal explainers are available now on Betting.za.com.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Terms and conditions apply.
About Betting.za.com
Betting.za.com is a South Africa-focused information platform that publishes bookmaker reviews, betting guides, promotions coverage, and educational content designed to help players choose licensed options, understand key terms, and bet responsibly.
000
Cash Pig 2 Debuts from Booming Games with 15,000 Top Prize
Booming Games, a top supplier of high-quality gaming content, has officially released the much-awaited Cash Pig 2 15,000. Following the hugely popular original, Cash Pig 2 15,000 features a 5×4 grid with 30 paylines, impressive graphics, and an enhanced maximum payout of 15,000x.
To offer a superior experience for players, the game conveys a sense of opulence and wealth. Set against a dazzling Vegas scene, participants can interact with various symbols, including diamond rings and supercars, that enhance the golden pig. The images have been created to reflect the essence of contemporary affluence.
Maintaining the achievements of the last edition, all essential features have been preserved. This features two expanding piggy banks that create anticipation with each spin. One piggy bank gathers coins to enable the Cash Collection feature, while another gathers Scatters to activate Free Spins, ensuring players stay entertained and engaged during the game.
By redeeming their Free Spins, players can dive into the excitement, confident that every spin could lead to substantial winnings. Players will initially face Minor Eliminations and Major Upgrades before progressing to the exciting Wild Spin finale, where all gathered wilds cascade onto the reels for one final chance at achieving a substantial payout.
Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “We have developed Cash Pig 2 15,000 with player experience front of mind, taking everything that players loved about the previous edition and making it even more enticing with a boosted max win. We’re confident that players will love this latest iteration. Fast-paced, dynamic gameplay and the potential to unlock massive returns, combined with glossy, high-definition visuals provides the ultimate player experience.”
The post Cash Pig 2 Debuts from Booming Games with 15,000 Top Prize appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Dubai
Meet N1 Partners at SiGMA Eurasia in Dubai
The N1 Partners team is heading to SiGMA Eurasia in Dubai from February 9–11, joining one of the most influential iGaming events of the year. The conference brings together industry leaders, affiliates, and decision-makers to share insights, unlock new opportunities, and build long-term partnerships.
Throughout the event, the N1 Partners team will be available for one-on-one meetings and open discussions, showcasing its multi-brand affiliate portfolio, flexible cooperation models, and scalable growth opportunities across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs.
A First Look at What’s Next for N1 Partners
SiGMA Eurasia will be the first major industry event following the successful N1 Puzzle Promo in Barcelona, making it a prime opportunity for partners to get early insights into N1 Partners’ strategic roadmap and product direction for 2026.
Attendees can expect transparent conversations about:
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Upcoming brand launches
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New product developments
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Key priorities and growth plans for the year ahead
Entering 2026 stronger than ever, N1 Partners continues to expand its portfolio, deliver new achievements, and push ambitious growth targets across regulated markets.
Book a Meeting with Our Affiliate Managers
Make the most of your time in Dubai by booking a meeting with the N1 Partners team in advance. Meet the affiliate managers on-site to discuss tailored partnership terms, scalable offers, and traffic-specific opportunities designed to maximize long-term results.
N1 Partners Team at SiGMA Eurasia Dubai
- Alexa Bond – Head of Affiliates
- Vlad Zilitskyi – Affiliate Team Lead
- Polina Bogatko – Affiliate Manager
- Daria Smirnova – Affiliate Manager
Why Meet N1 Partners at SiGMA Eurasia?
SiGMA Eurasia is the perfect setting to explore what N1 Partners has to offer, including:
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14+ licensed casino and sportsbook brands with Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%
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Top-performing offers across 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
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CPA up to €700 for high-performing traffic
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RevShare up to 45% + NNCO for top partners
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Flexible hybrid cooperation models
Want to Get More from Industry Events?
Learn how to maximize conference ROI with practical tips and real-world insights from N1 Partners’ affiliate managers — built on hands-on experience and proven results.
See you in Dubai at SiGMA Eurasia.
About N1 Partners
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser, uniting 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with high LTV and Reg2Dep conversion rates of up to 70%. Operating successfully since 2018, the company delivers stable performance and long-term value for partners worldwide.
With transparent terms, flexible partnership models, and a reputation as a reliable industry player, N1 Partners combines a strong product portfolio, advanced retention systems, and an experienced team to help affiliates achieve consistent earnings — even in highly competitive Tier-1 markets.
Be number one with N1 Partners.
The post Meet N1 Partners at SiGMA Eurasia in Dubai appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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