Sportradar has released its annual integrity report, showing a decline in global match-fixing incidents for the first time after years of increase.
The report indicates that the number of suspicious matches discovered in 2024 decreased by 17%, with 1,108 suspicious matches found across 12 sports in 95 countries.
The analysis, based on monitoring over 850,000 matches in 70 sports, shows significant improvements in key areas.
Europe has traditionally been the most affected region by match-fixing, with the number of suspicious matches found this year decreasing by 34% from 668 in 2023 to 439.
Africa also showed similar improvements, with the number of suspicious matches decreasing by 36% to 69.
Soccer is particularly susceptible to match-fixing, with the number of suspicious matches decreasing by 18%, from 881 in 2023 to 721 in 2024.
Worth noting: Sportradar's monitoring system combines data analytics and artificial intelligence through its Universal Fraud Detection System (UFDS) and is supported by a team of integrity experts to verify suspicious activities.
Progress in Brazilian soccer has been particularly notable, with suspicious matches decreasing by 48% to 57.
Andreas Krannich, Executive Vice President of Integrity at Sportradar, commented on these results, saying: "While the significant reduction in the number of suspicious matches in 2024 gives us reason to be optimistic, the still large number indicates that we need to continue to be vigilant and innovative.
"Our investment in innovation, coupled with insights into the betting industry and ongoing education on integrity, keeps us at the forefront of the evolving global sports integrity landscape.
"We will continue to improve our methods and capabilities and work with the sports and betting industries to support fair competition and maintain the integrity of global sports."
