Sportradar Integrity Services has reported a significant 17% global reduction in suspicious sports matches during 2024, marking the first decline in years. Detailed in the company’s latest integrity report, titled “Integrity in Action 2024 Global Analysis & Trends,” the findings reflect improved monitoring and targeted prevention efforts. This comprehensive analysis examined over 850,000 matches across 70 sports globally, uncovering 1,108 suspicious cases compared to 1,336 in 2023.

Europe, historically the region most affected by match-fixing, demonstrated the most notable progress. The number of suspicious matches in Europe fell by 34%, from 668 in 2023 to 439 in 2024. Similarly, Africa experienced a 36% reduction, dropping from 108 to 69 suspicious matches during the same period. Despite these positive trends, match-fixing remains a pervasive issue globally, underscoring the need for continued vigilance.

Other regions showed mixed results. South America reported an increase in suspicious matches, rising by 27 cases year-over-year. North America and Asia saw slight upticks, each recording eight suspicious matches. These variations highlight the uneven progress in combating match-fixing across different regions.

Soccer Remains Under Scrutiny

Soccer continued to dominate the match-fixing landscape, accounting for 65% of all suspicious cases in 2024. Nevertheless, the sport recorded a significant improvement, with suspicious matches decreasing by 18%, from 881 in 2023 to 721 in 2024. Brazilian soccer, which has faced extensive scrutiny in recent years, saw a dramatic 48% drop, from 110 cases in 2023 to 57 in 2024. This decline is a promising sign for the sport, but soccer remains the most monitored and vulnerable to integrity issues worldwide.

Other sports also experienced reductions in suspicious matches. Basketball ranked second globally, with 187 cases, a decrease of 18 matches compared to 2023. Tennis followed with 69 suspicious matches. Lesser-publicized sports, including table tennis, eSports, handball, and hockey, reported fewer incidents compared to the previous year.

Advanced Detection and Ongoing Challenges

Sportradar’s Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) played a pivotal role in identifying irregular betting patterns that signaled potential match-fixing. The system combines advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to detect unusual wagering activities. These findings are then reviewed by Sportradar’s integrity experts, who confirm suspicious activities before initiating further investigations.

According to Andreas Krannich, Sportradar’s Executive Vice President of Integrity, Rights Protection & Regulatory Services, the decline in suspicious matches is encouraging but requires sustained effort. “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,” he said.

Sportradar’s initiatives go beyond detection. The company emphasizes education to prevent match-fixing and supports major sporting events like the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, UEFA EURO 2024, and the AFC Asian Cup. These efforts aim to strengthen integrity across the sports betting landscape while safeguarding athletes and fans.

A Persistent Global Issue

Despite the progress made in 2024, match-fixing remains a global challenge. Sportradar’s findings underline the need for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders in sports and betting industries. “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,” added Krannich.

Sportradar’s efforts over the past two decades have led to 900 sporting and criminal sanctions, with 104 issued in 2024 alone. These achievements reflect the company’s commitment to safeguarding fair play and fostering trust in sports worldwide.