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Lack of governance of football friendly (non-competitive) matches exploited by match-fixers

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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.

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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.

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“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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ELA Games Welcomes Ewa Kaźmierska As MD

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ELA Games, a pioneering game supplier studio, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ewa Kaźmierska as Managing Director. This strategic leadership hire marks a pivotal moment in the studio’s journey, positioning ELA Games for accelerated growth and increased market penetration within the competitive iGaming sector.

Ewa brings over 15 years of senior leadership expertise, having successfully steered a game studio through periods of sustained growth and innovation. Her proven track record as a former Chief Executive Officer at multiple iGaming brands will be instrumental in driving ELA Games’ ambitious roadmap. Ewa’s appointment aligns with the studio’s commitment to excellence and reinforces its mission to deliver an exceptional portfolio that resonates across global markets.

ELA Games is gearing up for an impactful 2025, with Ewa at the helm to guide the studio’s expansion strategy. Her leadership will support the studio’s initiatives in establishing a strong market presence and enhancing product development to meet evolving industry demands.

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Ewa commented on her new role, stating, “Joining ELA Games presents an incredible opportunity to lead a talented team with a clear vision for growth and innovation. ELA Games has the potential to become a leading force in the industry, and I am excited to contribute to its journey toward building a unique and influential gaming portfolio.”

The addition of Ewa Kaźmierska to ELA Games’ executive team underscores the studio’s dedication to robust growth and strategic excellence. With this leadership move, ELA Games is poised to strengthen its position as a premier game supplier in the iGaming landscape.

The post ELA Games Welcomes Ewa Kaźmierska As MD appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Week 45/2024 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Tom Horn Gaming invites bold adventurers to join Max Gold, the fearless explorer, as he delves deep into faraway lands, seeking hidden treasures, legendary jackpots, and mysteries waiting to be uncovered. With an array of exciting features, including the Hold & Win bonus game with jackpots and respins, shatter mode with increasing multipliers, stake booster, and bonus buy, Max Gold.

 

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PopOK Gaming is thrilled to announce the release of its newest slot game, Spinosaurus – a captivating 3×5 slot that transports players back to the thrilling age of dinosaurs! With vibrant, colorful visuals and dynamic gameplay, Spinosaurus features the iconic, mighty dinosaur as your guide on an adventurous quest for massive wins. Players can immerse themselves in prehistoric excitement while aiming for incredible rewards.

Spinosaurus – The Thrilling New Slot Game from PopOK Gaming

 

 

Belatra Games has launched its pirate-themed title, Tortuga Codex. This 5×4 slot casts players on a journey on the hunt for untold riches buried on a mysterious island. A Skull symbol acts as the Wild and will substitute for any other symbol to increase the chances of a win. An intriguing element to the game lies in the Additional Reel feature which sits above the main frame. It’s in sync with the main reels, displaying Wild symbols, special pirate icons, and numbers from one to nine.

Set sail on a pirate quest with Belatra’s Tortuga Codex

Vibra Gaming has unwrapped its latest release, Candy Loop, where if players trigger the Candy Round bonus they can max their win by up to 5000x in a game for all sweet-toothed slot fans. Set within a backdrop of clouds and sugar players will lap up this delicious classic three-stepper slot mechanic packed with sweet bonuses, free spins and wilds.

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Zillion Games is thrilled to announce the release of Egypt’s Moon, a high-volatility slot that invites players to journey through the mysteries of ancient Egypt under a mesmerizing nighttime sky. Featuring Cleopatra, hidden treasures, and the essence of Egypt’s rich mythology, Egypt’s Moon promises an enthralling experience set against a captivating backdrop. This slot game offers players 25 paylines and an RTP of 96.75%, delivering both excitement and reward.

 

Having made a big splash with its popular Aqua Lord slot back in 2022, innovative software developer, Swintt, is preparing to dive beneath the waves once more in an action-packed sequel that now features new and improved Pearl Respins and even bigger prizes. Played out across five reels and ten fixed paylines, Aqua Lord 2 picks up where its predecessor left off by once again plunging players into a world of sunken treasures where sticky pearl symbols hold the key to unlocking huge wins of up to 6,000x the bet and two incredibly rewarding features.

Swintt plunges into action once more in Aqua Lord 2

 

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Amusnet has released Extra Crown Dice. This latest addition to Amusnet’s online casino portfolio is a majestic dice slot filled with thrilling features. This 5-reel, 10 fixed lines dice game is based on one of the video slots, with redesigned symbols to look like dice. The kingdom of Extra Crown Dice is full of excitement with dice, sevens and eights, where fortunes await those bold enough to seize them. The Star and the Fleur-de-lis symbols are the Scatter symbols boosting the player’s winnings.

 

The dazzling dancefloor of Piggy Blitz returns with Piggy Blitz Disco Gold, the latest 6×4 online slot sensation from Play’n GO, boasting immersive features and endearing characters. The dancefloor is calling, and it’s shining brighter than ever! Piggy Blitz Disco Gold takes players back to the groovy days of the 1970s – where neon lights and disco beats set the stage for high-energy spins and big-time wins. Our favourite pigs are back, bringing glittering Cash Coins and the exclusive Gold Piggy Feature to this glitzy slot adventure.

Play'n GO hits the dancefloor of this iconic piggy pen

 

Booming Games is going for goal with its first-ever instant win title, Ronaldinho Scores Shoot & Win, as it continues to leverage its partnership with the international footballing icon. Players step into the football boots of Ronaldinho and experience the thrills and excitement of trying to beat the keeper. Each shot the player takes could mean a big prize – there are 16 prizes in total with each kick potentially delivering at least 3 instant rewards.

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The post Week 45/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ComeOn Group adds sportsbook to its offering in Ontario

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ComeOn Group announced a significant milestone in its sportsbook expansion journey with the addition of sportsbook to their offering in Ontario following the successful acquisition of the required permits. This addition represents a strategic advancement in the Groups sportsbook growth trajectory where they are set to double its sportsbook business in the coming years.

ComeOn Group is one of 51 active operators in Ontario. The Ontario market has experienced robust growth since its launch, reaching C$6.7 billion in revenue in 2023.* By 2029, the market is forecasted to grow by a total of 29%, with 2024 expected to close with a 20% increase.

ComeOn keeps investing in its sportsbook business acceleration that is powered by its proprietary sportsbook platform and in-house risk management and trading team. As a multi product vertical operator, ComeOn is striving to give its customer base a safe and exciting entertainment destination and this approach is now expanded to their Ontario audience.

Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer at ComeOn Group, said: “We are very excited about the opportunities this new milestone opens up for us. As a casino-led operator it represents a key part of our sportsbook strategy to double our business in the coming years. Like in any of our other markets, we are striving for a differentiated sportsbook entertainment experience that is powered by our in-house technology. Our goal is to deliver top-tier entertainment to our players while fostering safe and innovative gaming experiences.”

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*Source – H2GC H2 Ontario Data 25.10.2024 (excl. Lottery)

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