One of the most damaging threats to global sport is that of match fixing. If you cannot believe a match is being played fairly between the players then where is the motivation to keep coming back for more.
It was good to read at the end of last week then that after consecutive years of detecting rising numbers of suspicious matches, match-fixing at all levels of global sport registered a notable decline in 2024, according to the annual integrity report published by Sportradar Integrity Services, a unit of Sportradar.
Throughout 2024, Sportradar Integrity Services monitored more than 850,000 matches across 70 sports worldwide and 1,108 suspicious matches were identified, a 17% decrease from 2023.
The highest number of suspicious matches were found across Europe, the region historically facing the most significant integrity issues. However, the year still ended with a 34% reduction in suspicious matches overall in this territory with 439 matches identified compared to 668 in 2023.
Africa also finished with a considerable decline with 69 suspicious matches detected, a 36% decrease from 108 matches the year before.
Notably, the world’s most popular sport, soccer, saw a considerable downturn, with 721 suspicious matches detected in 2024, a reduction of 18% from 881 matches in 2023. Moreover, Brazilian soccer, which has been affected by match-fixing cases in recent years, recorded a marked decrease of 48% with 57 suspicious matches discovered last year, down from 110 in 2023.
It was also a positive year with regard to sanctions showing that the pursuit of match fixing has teeth as well as eyes. 104 teams, players or individuals received sanctions is 18 cases across seven different sports over the past 12 months.
Nevertheless, despite the overall reduction in the number of suspicious matches detected, match-fixing remains a persistent issue worldwide.
Sportradar uses advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) through its Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) to monitor competitions and identify irregular betting patterns.
While AI flags unusual activity, such as substantial wagers on unlikely outcomes, Sportradar’s team of integrity experts is crucial in confirming match-fixing activities for further investigation.
“While the notable reduction in suspicious matches in 2024 gives us reason to be optimistic, it also signals the need for continued vigilance and innovation, given that the number remains significant,” said Andreas Krannich, Executive Vice President, Integrity, Rights Protection & Regulatory Services, Sportradar.
“Our investment in innovation combined with data insights into the betting industry and continued education on integrity are at the forefront of keeping pace with the ever-evolving global sports integrity landscape.”
“We remain committed to refining our methods and capabilities and collaborating across the sports and betting industries to support foundational fair play and safeguard the integrity of sports worldwide.”
During 2024, Sportradar provided integrity support for major global events such as the IOC 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, UEFA EURO 2024, CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 and AFC Asian Cup 2023, showcasing its advanced bet monitoring and intelligence capabilities.
In July, the company partnered with the ATP and Tennis Data Innovations to launch an AI-driven safe sport solution to protect athletes from online abuse, highlighting its commitment to using innovation to address wider integrity issues in sport.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Sportradar works now with 117 betting operators around the world, giving a broader picture than ever before and with access to anonymised individual account data on betting patterns. The data is positive in that overall, one game is flagged as suspicious in every 615 played, painting a picture that we can have justifiable confidence in what we are watching and participating in.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The ongoing development of AI to spot trends at ever lowere levels will mean that this is a fight that is very much under control.
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