The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported a decline in suspicious betting alerts during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. A total of 40 alerts were recorded across nine sports, reflecting a 16.6% decrease year-on-year and a 20% decrease from the previous quarter. Football and tennis accounted for the majority of the alerts, highlighting the ongoing focus on these popular sports.
Decrease in Suspicious Betting Alerts:
IBIA reported a decrease in suspicious betting alerts during Q1 2023. With a total of 40 alerts recorded, there was a notable decline of 16.6% compared to the same period in the previous year. Additionally, the alerts decreased by 20% from the previous quarter, indicating a downward trend in suspicious betting activities.
Football and Tennis Dominate the Alerts:
Among the sports generating suspicious betting alerts, football remained at the forefront with 15 alerts, representing 37.5% of the total. Tennis closely followed with 12 alerts, making up 30% of the overall alerts. Together, football and tennis accounted for a significant 67.5% of the alerts in the first quarter, underscoring the continued attention paid to these sports in terms of integrity monitoring.
Breakdown of Alerts by Sport:
While football and tennis stood out, other sports also saw suspicious betting activities. Table tennis accounted for four alerts, demonstrating its vulnerability to potential integrity issues. Basketball and esports each generated two alerts, highlighting the need for vigilance in monitoring these growing sports. Volleyball, boxing, and snooker accounted for one alert each, emphasizing the wide range of sports targeted by suspicious betting activities.
Geographical Distribution of Alerts:
In terms of the continental breakdown, Europe experienced the highest number of suspicious betting alerts, with 24 alerts recorded. Asia followed with six alerts, while Africa accounted for four. North America and South America each had two alerts. Notably, two esports alerts were excluded from the geographical breakdown due to insufficient information on their origin.
Focus on Spain:
IBIA observed a particular trend in Spain during the first quarter, where eight alerts were recorded. This accounted for 20% of the total alerts received from Spain in the entire year of 2022. Of these alerts, four were related to football, and the remaining four were related to tennis. The increased vigilance in Spain highlights the significance of the country as a potential area of concern for suspicious betting activities.
Partnerships and Recognitions:
During the quarter, IBIA welcomed new members, including Simplebet and Fanatics, who joined the association in its mission to ensure integrity in sports betting. Additionally, IBIA renewed its partnership with H2 Gambling Capital, solidifying their collaboration in addressing integrity-related challenges in the industry. Furthermore, Stats Perform received IBIA’s mark of data quality and integrity for the third consecutive year, affirming their commitment to providing reliable and trustworthy sports data.
The decline in suspicious betting alerts reported by the International Betting Integrity Association during Q1 2023 indicates progress in efforts to safeguard the integrity of sports betting. Football and tennis remained the primary focus areas for monitoring, accounting for a significant majority of the alerts. However, other sports such as table tennis, basketball, esports, and more also experienced suspicious betting activities, emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance across a wide range of sports.
IBIA’s partnerships with industry leaders and recognitions received during the quarter further reinforce their commitment to upholding data integrity and combating illicit betting practices. By staying proactive and collaborative, IBIA aims to ensure a fair and transparent sports betting environment for all stakeholders involved.