• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Sports Betting Is Growing, but Match-Fixing Continues to Drop

Several factors, including better technology and improved access to account-level betting data, are helping integrity monitoring efforts. 

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Sizable progress is being made in the global battle against match-fixing.

Sports data company Sportradar released Thursday the results of its annual integrity report, finding 1,108 occurrences of suspected manipulation across more than 850,000 monitored events during 2024. That figure is down by 17% from the year before, which then showed a flattening in the amount of suspicious activity

The rate of suspected match-fixing is now down to one in 615 events globally, a marked improvement from one in every 467 during 2023. 

The accelerating progress in fighting fraudulent activity in sports owes to several key factors:

  • Further improvement in artificial intelligence technology, which continues to play a significant role in detecting competition manipulation, and is now the primary method of monitoring in several major sports including tennis and volleyball 
  • Better access to and study of account-level betting data to spot improper movement
  • Increased vigilance from various leagues and governing bodies, as well, helping deliver 104 total sporting and criminal sanctions around the role for compromising match integrity

“I see this as a positive, and hope it continues,” Sportradar EVP Andreas Krannich tells Front Office Sports. “It’s only a snapshot in a much larger period of time fighting for sporting integrity, and it won’t mean anything unless we continue it. We have to now train for the next season, so to speak, and stay vigilant in our fight against this cancer.”

The largest amount of suspicious match activity was again in Europe, with 439 of the 1,108 events in question, and soccer repeated as the sport with the most suspected manipulations. That European figure, however, fell by roughly a third compared to 2023. 

Bigger Issues

The Sportradar data arrives as much of the U.S. sports industry went through a major reckoning in 2024 with match-fixing and improper gambling activities. 

Former NBA player Jontay Porter was banned for life by the league last April for several improper activities, including manipulating his own playing availability for betting purposes. Less than two months later, MLB went through a similar situation with infielder Tucupita Marcano, also banning him for life, and suspending several other players for a year.  

Meanwhile, Ippei Mizuhara, former interpreter for Shohei Ohtani, stole more than $16 million from the Dodgers superstar to help fund his illegal gambling debts. He pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud last June and is now awaiting sentencing.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Inside NCAA Headquarters located in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10, 2023. Ncaa President Charlie Baker

NCAA Approves Plan to Let D-I College Athletes Bet on Pro Sports

The proposal still needs to be approved by D-II and D-III committees.
NYSE

NYSE Owner Pours $2B Into Polymarket at $8B Valuation

Prediction markets keep pushing further into the mainstream.

Live Personalized Betting Is Coming to Amazon’s NBA Streams

The streamer draws heavily from prior experience with the NFL and NASCAR.
Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at Highmark Stadium.
exclusive

Kalshi, Polymarket Sought to Buy Prediction-Market Platform Novig

Novig is available in close to 40 states.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Adoree' Jackson (8) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during the third quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 5, 2025

Kalshi’s $27M NFL Opener Runs Into Tribal Challenge

California Tribes want Kalshi forced to implement geofencing.
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball past Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during the second half at Soldier Field.
exclusive
September 10, 2025

Americans See Little Difference Between Prediction Markets and Betting

A survey found 85% of respondents believe sports event contracts are gambling.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

FanDuel Paying $80K for Eagles Trains Amid Transit Funding Fight

The gambling company is giving stopgap transit funding in Philadelphia.
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; TCU Horned Frogs tight end DJ Rogers (0) catches a touchdown pass as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Kaleb Cost (21) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium.
September 3, 2025

Polymarket Moves Closer to Reentering the U.S.

There’s yet more prediction markets momentum as the NFL season kicks off.
during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, August 31, 2025.
September 2, 2025

Underdog Bets on Prediction Markets With Crypto.com Deal

Sports event contracts will be offered in 16 states.
Rob Bonta
August 29, 2025

Users Sue Daily Fantasy Companies After California Calls Them Illegal

Underdog Sports and Boom Fantasy were separately sued.