Compliance Updates
IBIA reports 50 suspicious betting alerts in Q2 2023

The International Betting Integrity Association’s (IBIA) integrity report for the second quarter (Q2) details 50 incidents of suspicious betting activity reported to the relevant authorities. The Q2 2023 total is an increase of 4% on the revised Q1 figure of 48 alerts and is a decline of 44% on the 90 alerts reported in Q2 2022. That betting integrity information was identified across IBIA members’ global businesses, which number over 125 sports betting brands and US$137 billion in betting turnover per annum, making IBIA the largest integrity monitor of its type in the world.
The 50 incidents of suspicious betting in Q2 concerned eight sports, across 18 countries and four continents. Other key data for Q2 2023 includes:
- Football (soccer) had the highest number of alerts with 19, representing a 27% increase on the 15 alerts reported in Q1 but a 41% decrease on the 32 alerts reported in Q2 2022.
- The 12 tennis alerts reported in Q2 2023 represent a near 60% decrease when compared to the revised figure of 29 alerts for Q2 2022.
- The UK was the country with the highest number of Q2 alerts, with nine alerts concerning four sports (five for darts, two for football, and one each for bowls and boxing).
Khalid Ali, IBIA CEO, said: “The second quarter of the year saw a welcome downward trend with 44% less suspicious alerts compared to Q2 2022, and a near 30% decline in the first half of 2023 when considered against 2022. Much of that decline is a result of collaborative cross-sector efforts headed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency to eradicate match-fixing in tennis, the success of which was highlighted by the prison sentence recently handed out by a Belgian court. That judgment sends a clear and unequivocal message to corrupters that they will be caught, and harsh sanctions imposed.”
The Belgian court handed down sentences to 28 individuals convicted of match-fixing in tennis. This includes the ringleader of a gang that instigated and coordinated the fixing aimed at defrauding betting operators and who has received a sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of €8,000. Ali continued: “The outcome is very welcome and IBIA congratulates the ITIA on its collaborative partnership working with key stakeholders and its continued resolve to identify and punish illicit activity. IBIA’s responsible regulated betting operators remain committed to working closely with sports to weed out corruption.”
The Q2 integrity report includes a breakdown of alerts reported on sporting events taking place in Europe between 2018-2022. It also contains a focus on the Netherlands which had eight suspicious alerts during 2018-22 (three for football and tennis, and one each for darts and beach volleyball). According to leading global gambling market intelligence company H2 Gambling Capital, the Netherlands’ onshore online sports betting market is due to increase from €276m in gross gambling revenue (GGR) in 2022 to €690m by 2028, albeit a sizeable offshore channelisation (€124m) will remain.
Of the 50 alerts reported in Q2 2023, two related to women’s events, 47 for men’s events and one for a mixed gender event. IBIA has recent released a ground-breaking study that analyses the size and characteristics of the women’s sports betting market and examines the potential vulnerability of women’s sports to match-fixing.
Compliance Updates
Romania Bans Celebrities from Gambling Ads

Celebrities will no longer be able to appear in gambling ads on TV, radio and online, following a decision voted on Wednesday in a public meeting of the National Audiovisual Council of Romania (CAN). The provision is part of a series of amendments that passed the Code of Broadcasting Regulation, the NAC’s secondary legislation.
“It is forbidden to broadcast advertising for gambling featuring public, cultural, scientific, sports or other personalities who, due to their online notoriety, may encourage participation in such games,” says the new Article 110, paragraph 7 of the newly voted Audiovisual Code.
The new provision will become mandatory in a few months, more precisely 90 days after the Audiovisual Code enters into force.
Several amendments were submitted by institutions or gambling companies in an attempt to stop this provision.
Among the challengers were Winbet, which asked the CNA to allow stars to be used at least in “social responsibility” campaigns. So did the Romanian Football Federation, which proposed that personalities should be allowed to appear in awareness or social responsibility campaigns.
Kaizergaming, the Federation of Gambling Organisers and the Romanian Bureau of Transmedia Audit asked for the deletion of the article.
All amendments were unanimously rejected.
The post Romania Bans Celebrities from Gambling Ads appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AGCO
AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor.
On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behavior, and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses, and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.
In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.
As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.
Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.
A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.
“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.
The post AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Brazil
Esportes da Sorte holds forum on “Integrity in Sports” with Ceará and Náutico

Esportes da Sorte hosted its Match-Fixing Prevention Forum last week at Ceará and Náutico as main sponsor of both clubs. Held in partnership with Sportradar, the initiative is part of a series of in-person workshops, with upcoming sessions planned for Corinthians and Ferroviária.
The project aims to combat illegal practices and reinforce a strong commitment to integrity in sport. Activities were tailored for athletes and members of the technical staff from the men’s and women’s professional teams, as well as the under-20 squads. During the sessions, topics such as the definition of match-fixing, types of fraud, fraudsters’ modus operandi, legal risks, and reputational impacts were covered. Participants were offered practical guidance on how to respond to suspicious approaches.
“This training programme reinforces our commitment to sports integrity and responsible gaming, pillars that guide our actions. We believe education is the best form of prevention, and we want to stand alongside clubs in this joint effort for transparency and the protection of sport,” said Ana Carolina Luna Maçães, Compliance Manager at Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind the Esportes da Sorte brand.
“Ceará takes this topic very seriously. The club is an important player in the fight against match-fixing. We act preventively with regular meetings and have a handbook that addresses the topic with our squad. It is our duty to provide these moments of learning for athletes and technical staff. We live in a time when the integrity of sport is being questioned. In this scenario, actions like this are extremely important,” commented Lucas Drubscky, Football Executive at Ceará.
The sessions were led by Felippe Marchetti, Integrity Partnerships Manager at Sportradar, a global sports technology company and recognized authority in sports integrity. In Brazil, Sportradar partners with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and 17 state federations, monitoring more than 10,000 matches per season. The company recently signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Sports.
“Raising awareness among athletes and teams is one of the most effective ways to protect competitions from manipulation. These workshops are designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to recognize threats and act responsibly. We are proud to support initiatives like this that strengthen the integrity of Brazilian sports,” said Felippe Marchetti.
The post Esportes da Sorte holds forum on “Integrity in Sports” with Ceará and Náutico appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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