In the realm of sports betting integrity, the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has unveiled its much-anticipated 2023 report. This in-depth examination not only dissects the statistics but also delves into the implications and nuances of the findings, providing a comprehensive understanding of the current state of sports betting integrity worldwide.
The IBIA’s report brings forth a noteworthy revelation – a 35% decrease in the total number of suspicious sports betting alerts globally. In comparing the figures, the decline from 285 alerts in 2022 to 184 in 2023 is evident, falling substantially below the average of 244 alerts recorded annually between 2019 and 2022.
This decline is a testament to the effectiveness of IBIA’s integrity monitoring efforts, which now extend to cover an impressive $137 billion in global betting turnover each year. The association’s commitment to deterring fraudulent activities is underscored by the substantial decrease in alerts, reflecting a world-leading monitoring and alert network.
Khalid Ali, IBIA CEO, expressed optimism about the decrease in global alert numbers, stating, “The fall in last year’s global alert numbers is encouraging. It confirms that our world-leading monitoring and alert network is making a very important contribution to deterring criminals from seeking to defraud our members, and that increased collaboration between IBIA, sports and regulators is a winning combination. Despite this progress, we must remain vigilant and recognise that the greatest threat to sports integrity comes from unregulated operators, most notably in Asia.”
The 2023 report highlights a positive shift in the regulatory landscape, with well-regulated markets instituting legal requirements for sports betting operators to join international sports integrity monitoring bodies. Notably, the UK and the Czech Republic led the list of countries receiving suspicious betting alerts, with Brazil, a newcomer to this regulatory framework, ranking third.
Football maintains its stronghold as the sport with the highest number of alerts, registering 63 instances. This aligns with historical data, reinforcing football’s susceptibility to integrity concerns. Tennis, the second most reported sport with 54 alerts, showcased a significant 49% decrease from 2022, signaling positive strides in combating match-fixing.
Khalid Ali applauds the ongoing decrease in tennis alerts, saying, “The ongoing decrease in tennis alerts, along with notable reductions in table tennis and esports, is very encouraging. The progress made in tennis over several years now demonstrates that successfully identifying and sanctioning match-fixing sends a powerful message to athletes and officials about the risks of engaging in match-fixing.”
IBIA’s 2023 Sports Betting Integrity Report provides a panoramic view of the evolving landscape of sports integrity. The substantial decline in suspicious alerts globally, coupled with the association’s proactive monitoring efforts, underscores a positive shift in the industry. Collaborative initiatives between IBIA, sports entities, and regulators prove instrumental in safeguarding the integrity of sports betting.
