IBIA records 17% increase in suspicious betting alerts for 2024
Integrity monitoring body registers 219 red flags during the year, with notable spikes in both Asia and Africa
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has reported there were 219 suspicious betting alerts for 2024, up from 187 the previous year.
The figure, derived from the IBIA’s annual sports betting integrity report, represented a 17% increase when compared to 2023.
Overall, the number of suspicious bets flagged still remained under the annual average of 245 reported between 2020 and 2023.
Europe continued to have the most alerts of any continent with 80, down from 113 in 2023.
Meanwhile, every other continent saw an increase when compared to the previous year.
Asia had the biggest increase, with the number of alerts rising 135% to 40 in 2024, while Africa rose from 16 in 2023 to 28 last year.
IBIA said both continents would be monitored closely in the future “to determine whether they’re just anomalies or a growing trend that will require action”.
North America and South America saw more modest rises from 2023, with the former receiving 19 alerts in 2024 (a climb of 58%) and the latter generating 20 alerts last year, up from 19 in 2023.
Football continued to be the sport responsible for the most alerts with 75 in 2024, up 19% year on year (YoY).
Tennis was next with 58 (up from 54 in 2023), followed by table tennis with 36, which jumped 64% YoY.
Esports accounted for 32 suspicious alerts, while there were 10 for basketball and two for badminton.
Handball, bowls, cricket, boxing, greyhounds and padel all accounted for one suspicious betting alert apiece.
IBIA monitoring led to 33 matches deemed to be corrupted in 2024, in addition to 17 sanctions against clubs, players and officials for betting violations.
Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “The integrity position remains relatively consistent with previous years, with the focus of suspicious betting remaining primarily on football and tennis.
“A geographical shift away from European sporting events was observed, but it is too early to determine if this is an ongoing trend. As with all potentially corrupt activity, IBIA is analysing the data and working with its members and global integrity network to implement targeted countermeasures.
“IBIA’s growing membership are resolute in their commitment to identifying, disrupting and preventing corrupt sports betting activity and to working with stakeholders.”
IBIA also revealed its new look board of directors, which is comprised of several industry stalwarts.
Ewout Keuleers, group general counsel at both FDJ and Kindred Group, has been selected as the board’s new chair, succeeding former Betway director Jon Russell.
Stanleybet Group’s director of legal affairs and compliance, Christian Doyle, has been appointed vice-chair, while Entain’s Lee Calverley has been named treasurer.
New board members include Betway’s betting integrity manager, Michael Bonnici, Kaizen Gaming’s chief product officer, Christos Tzalavras, and Ian Devlin, sports integrity manager at Flutter Entertainment.
An IBIA statement said: “Following our AGM on 5 February, we’re pleased to confirm the new IBIA board comprised of industry leaders dedicated to strengthening betting integrity.
“With this experienced leadership team, IBIA continues to lead the way in safeguarding the regulated betting industry.”