Sportradar Reports Global Drop in Match-Fixing Cases for 2024
Sportradar annual integrity report reveals a substantial drop in suspicious matches globally in 2024, marking a positive shift in sports integrity. Europe and Africa, traditionally burdened with integrity issues, recorded the most important reductions.
Global Overview of Match-Fixing Trends
In 2024, Sportradar Integrity Services monitored over 850,000 matches across 70 sports worldwide, identifying 1,108 suspicious matches. This marked a 17% reduction compared to the previous year. Soccer, the world’s most popular sport, accounted for the majority of these cases, with 721 suspicious matches, an 18% drop from 881 in 2023. Despite the overall improvement, Sportradar emphasized that match-fixing remains a persistent issue requiring ongoing vigilance.
Europe and Africa Lead the Decline
Europe, historically the region most affected by match-fixing, recorded 439 suspicious matches in 2024, a notable 34% decrease from the 668 cases identified in 2023. Africa also experienced a significant improvement, with suspicious matches dropping by 36%, from 108 in 2023 to 69 in 2024. These reductions underscore the effectiveness of targeted integrity measures in regions with longstanding challenges.
Brazilian soccer, previously plagued by integrity concerns, showed marked progress in 2024. Suspicious matches in the country dropped by 48%, from 110 in 2023 to just 57 last year. This development highlights the growing impact of Sportradar’s integrity initiatives and collaboration with stakeholders to address betting-related corruption.
The Role of Advanced Analytics in Detecting Corruption
Sportradar leverages its Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS), powered by artificial intelligence and data analytics, to monitor irregular betting patterns. The system flags unusual activity, such as large wagers on unlikely outcomes, which are then verified by Sportradar’s team of integrity experts. This combination of technology and human expertise ensures reliable identification of match-fixing cases for further investigation.
Andreas Krannich, Executive Vice President of Sportradar’s Integrity Services, acknowledged the positive trends while stressing the importance of continued innovation and vigilance.
“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.”
