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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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Spinomenal grows UK presence with Lottomart collaboration
Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has grown its UK presence following a collaboration with casino and lottery betting operator Lottomart.
Thanks to this partnership, Lottomart players can now enjoy Spinomenal’s library of captivating and engaging online slot games. These include popular hits such as Majestic King, Buffalo Rampage, Trout’s Treasure – Fishing Season and more. The games will be integrated into Lottomart’s casino lobby via the Aristocrat Interactive platform.
This latest move from Spinomenal will consolidate its reputation as one of the esteemed online casino content providers in the UK as it continues to build a strong presence in 2025.
Yossi Shayovits, Head of Business Development for Spinomenal commented: “The UK continues to be a key part of our growth strategy, and partnering with Lottomart – a respected and innovative operator – allows us to bring our games to an even broader and esteemed audience in this important market.”
Chris Ruddock, Commercial Director at Lottomart added: “We’re always on the lookout for exciting content that adds something fresh to our portfolio, and Spinomenal’s titles do exactly that. Their distinctive style, engaging features, and wide range of themes make them a fantastic addition to our casino. We’re really looking forward to seeing how our players respond.”
The post Spinomenal grows UK presence with Lottomart collaboration appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SOFTSWISS Joins Forces with TechIsland to Support Fire-Affected Areas in Cyprus
During a challenging time for Cyprus, which is currently facing the devastating consequences of recent wildfires, SOFTSWISS, the global tech company providing software for iGaming, stands in solidarity with local communities. The company is actively participating in TechIsland’s fundraising initiative, aimed at providing immediate relief to those affected and supporting recovery efforts.
As a member of the local tech ecosystem, SOFTSWISS is contributing to the broader TechIsland initiative, which brings together Cyprus’s IT and innovation community to provide immediate emergency relief and long-term recovery support.
The company has made a financial donation, which will be directed toward three key areas:
- Wildfire prevention and fire protection infrastructure;
- Installation of early warning systems;
- Urgent assistance for families impacted by the fires.
This initiative reflects a broader pattern of social responsibility. SOFTSWISS consistently responds promptly to natural disasters, especially in countries where its employees, clients, or partners are based. In 2023, the company launched the HELP Brazil campaign following catastrophic floods and also supported a charitable initiative in Poland under similar circumstances.
Through these efforts – from Latin America to Europe and now Cyprus – SOFTSWISS reinforces its commitment to standing with communities in times of crisis. The company continues to lead not only as a tech innovator, but as a responsible global citizen.
“Supporting the country that hosts our employees and partners is not just a responsibility – it is a moral commitment. We have been closely monitoring the situation with deep concern and wanted to provide tangible aid to the fire-stricken areas, beyond words of solidarity. We are proud to be part of the TechIsland initiative and remain open to offering further support wherever it is needed,” stated Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS.
With its contribution, SOFTSWISS hopes to inspire more companies within and beyond the tech industry to act swiftly and decisively in times of crisis. Supporting the communities we live and work in is not just a responsibility – it’s a core part of who we are.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Joins Forces with TechIsland to Support Fire-Affected Areas in Cyprus appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SBC Summit 2025 to Tackle Regulation and Retention in Europe’s Most Competitive Gaming Markets
SBC Summit 2025 will sharpen its focus on one of the world’s most tightly regulated and commercially significant regions with the launch of the Global Markets – Western Europe track.
Taking place on Wednesday, 17 September at Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), the track will deliver strategic insights into how major operators are navigating escalating compliance demands, shifting player expectations, and intensifying global competition.
As part of the summit’s broader Global Markets programme, the Western Europe track will equip delegates with actionable strategies for thriving in regulation-heavy markets like Italy, the Nordics, the Netherlands, and Portugal. From revised licensing frameworks to new consumer protection mandates, the sessions will unpack the real-world challenges and opportunities facing operators on the ground. Whether expanding regionally or maintaining position in legacy markets, attendees will gain critical tools to drive innovation, compliance, and player retention in a changing European landscape.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “Western Europe has long set the standard for gambling regulation, but the landscape continues to evolve. Today’s leading operators must build strong relationships with regulators, drive responsible innovation, and retain customers in an increasingly complex global environment. This track provides the practical insight and expert guidance delegates need to succeed in Western Europe.”
The track will open with the European Leaders Panel: Old World, New Way Forward – How the Most Established Brands Are Rethinking Regulation and Retention, bringing together some of the industry’s most prominent voices to discuss how operators can navigate tightening regulations, foster player loyalty, and remain competitive. Pascal Chaffard (CFO & Strategy Officer, FDJ), Axel Hefer (CEO, Tipico), Vlad Kaltenieks (CEO, BoyleSports), Mattias Wedar (CEO, LeoVegas), and moderator Martin Collins (Chief Business Development Officer, Soft2bet) will share their strategies for maintaining compliance while continuing to innovate, engage players, and thrive in Western Europe’s highly regulated markets.
Conversation will then turn to Italy’s post-licensing landscape in Italy’s New Online Gambling Regime: A Game-Changer for the Industry. The session will explore how stricter regulations, higher licensing fees, and enhanced player protection measures are reshaping the market. Industry leaders Fabio A. Bufalini (Country Director Italy, Stake), Marco Castaldo (CEO, Microgame), Will Shuckburgh (CEO, eCogra), Nicola Tani (Chief Editor, Agipro), Stefano Tino (Managing Director Italy, Betsson), and Marco Tiso (Managing Director, Sisal), will examine whether this transition has the potential to strengthen market sustainability or create unforeseen roadblocks, as they offer delegates practical strategies for navigating Italy’s new framework.
The session Portugal: Smooth Sailing or Danger Ahead? will bring together Tiago Bessa (Partner, Vieira de Almeida), Tomas Goncalves (Managing Director, Apostas Sociais (Santa Casa)), Americo Loureiro (Director, Solverde), Rui Magalhães (CEO, Estoril Sol Digital), Bernardo Neves (Secretary General, APAJO), and Tiago Pereira (Head of Portugal, LeBull.pt) to examine the current state of Portugal’s sports betting and iGaming market. With iCasino activity growing while sports betting declines, the panel will consider whether this could signal tighter regulation.
Other sessions featured in the track include Over the Finnish Line: Regulation in the Nordics, which will analyse Finland’s upcoming move to open its market to private operators, and Dutch Courage: Collaboration in the Changing Face of Regulations, which will look at Dutch proposals to raise the age threshold for online slots and introduce stricter deposit limits.
The Global Markets – Western Europe track forms part of SBC Summit 2025’s Global Markets series. Other markets explored across 16–18 September include Global Markets – Latin America and Brazil, and Global Markets – North America, each offering delegates region-specific insights to support international growth and strategic market entry.
The post SBC Summit 2025 to Tackle Regulation and Retention in Europe’s Most Competitive Gaming Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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