Dutch Gambling Authority Reports Surge in Match-Fixing Alerts in 2024
The Dutch Gambling Authority (KSA) has recorded a sharp increase in match-fixing reports in 2024, with 13 cases flagged compared to just six the previous year. The majority of these reports originated from tennis matches.
Establishment of the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit
To address these concerns, the KSA has launched the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU), a dedicated body tasked with collecting and monitoring reports related to suspicious betting activity. While the KSA does not have direct jurisdiction over detecting match-fixing, it ensures that licensed operators take these reports seriously.
By the end of December 2024, SBIU had received reports from eight different operators. Notably, 10 of the 13 flagged cases were linked to tennis, with the remaining incidents involving football and basketball.
Patterns of Suspicious Betting Activity
The flagged cases stemmed from various irregularities. One involved a sudden shift in betting odds, leading to the team in question being blacklisted by the operator. Two cases were triggered by customers placing bets on matches deemed potentially risky, prompting internal investigations. No winnings were paid out in these cases, and restrictions were placed on the involved participants.
The remaining reports were linked to suspicious betting patterns, such as sudden large wagers placed at critical moments in matches. In response, operators took measures to limit betting accounts and adjust available betting options.
Increased Awareness, Not Necessarily Increased Crime
Despite the rise in reported cases, the KSA suggests that the increase may be attributed to heightened awareness rather than a surge in actual match-fixing. The SBIU’s establishment has likely contributed to improved monitoring and reporting practices among betting operators.
The KSA also clarified that there were no reports in 2024 of athletes betting on their own competitions. However, it remains unclear whether this is due to a lack of incidents within the legal market, operators failing to detect such cases, or simply the absence of formal reports.
Separately, the KSA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining integrity in the Dutch gambling market by upholding its decision to deny a licence to a Malta-based provider. The Hague’s ruling reinforces the regulator’s strict approach to compliance and industry oversight.