In its annual report on match-fixing trends, the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) revealed that the number of potential match-fixing incidents remained consistent in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, the nature of these incidents has shifted, with a noticeable increase in cases involving athletes placing bets on competitions they are personally involved in, a scenario that did not arise in 2024.

Increased Athlete Involvement in Betting Sparks Regulatory Concern

According to the KSA, licensed betting operators reported 12 potential match-fixing incidents during 2025, down slightly from 13 reports in 2024. While this indicates a stable trend in overall match-fixing activity, a significant change in the types of alerts raised concern. For the first time, four of the 12 reports related to athletes betting on their own competitions, a violation of the rules due to the potential conflict of interest and insider information such bets can introduce.

This shift highlights a growing risk in the gambling industry, particularly in sports like football, tennis, and combat sports, which were the primary focus of the alerts. Of the 12 reports, football accounted for six, tennis for five, and one for combat sports. While most of the incidents involved gambling activity in the Netherlands, a broader range of unusual betting patterns emerged, including high-stakes bets on single events and abnormal betting timing during live matches.

The new trend of athletes betting on their own competitions presents a unique challenge for regulators and betting operators alike. Under Dutch gambling regulations, athletes are prohibited from placing wagers on their own events, as it poses risks related to inside information or conflicts of interest. The KSA emphasized the importance of operators adhering to strict monitoring protocols to prevent such breaches.

“Betting on your own match or your own competition is prohibited, as it creates the risk of conflicts of interest and the misuse of insider knowledge,” the KSA explained in its report. The regulatory body highlighted that licensed operators were quick to act when such cases were identified, either by canceling the bets or suspending the accounts involved. In all instances, the relevant sports federations were also notified.

The rise in athlete involvement in gambling marks a concerning development, but it is still a relatively rare occurrence in comparison to other jurisdictions. While the total number of reports remains low, the KSA has heightened its focus on this area in response to these new risks. The watchdog has also increased its outreach efforts, providing educational materials and talks to athletes, particularly through collaborations with the Dutch footballers’ union, to raise awareness about the dangers of match-fixing and gambling.

Regulatory Oversight and Operator Compliance Strengthened

In its ongoing battle against match-fixing, the KSA continues to tighten its regulatory oversight, requiring operators to step up their risk management efforts. The regulator’s annual review of operators’ compliance systems indicated an improvement in the quality of risk analysis conducted by betting firms. This shift is seen as a positive step toward enhancing the overall integrity of the sports betting market.

However, the KSA also noted that much of the match-fixing occurring in the industry may be happening on unlicensed platforms, rather than within the regulated space. As a result, the watchdog is putting more pressure on operators to improve their monitoring systems. As stated on the regulator’s website, this includes increasing the frequency of checks on betting offerings and issuing penalties when violations occur. In at least one case, a penalty was imposed on an operator for offering prohibited markets.

The KSA has also updated its guidelines for operators, introducing a handbook designed to help them maintain the integrity of their sports betting products. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to ensure that the betting market remains fair and transparent, especially in light of the growing concerns surrounding match-fixing and gambling risks.

As part of its efforts to combat match-fixing and promote integrity, the KSA has increased its communications with stakeholders across the sports and gambling industries. By strengthening its partnerships with operators, sports federations, and athletes, the KSA aims to foster a safer, more transparent environment for sports betting in the Netherlands.