KSA: Decrease in match-fixing reports does not equal safer market

The Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) of the Dutch Gaming Authority Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has published its latest findings on a number of match-fixing reports received in the period between 19 December, 2022 and 31 December, 2023. 

The analysis shows that there have been considerably low numbers of instances of alleged match-fixing incidents, making out a total of 6 reports in 2023 compared to the 40 from 2022 – an 85% decrease. 

Broken down, the reports show three cases of unusual betting patterns, one instance of players betting on their own games, one case of offering bets on a competition “not on the whitelist”, and one report of prohibited betting offering. 

As of January, 2024, there were seventeen licensed operators that are allowed to offer betting on sporting events under KSA regulations, of which thirteen were live. 

While the KSA itself has no legal obligation to detect match-fixing, its responsibility falls within the remit of overseeing licensed operators and their due diligence when it comes to preventing suspicious behaviour. 

Actual reports are made to the SBIU, which acts as an administrative point of contact for both sports betting providers and individuals, local and foreign, highlighting potential regulatory infringements. 

The Netherlands’ Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Prevention Act (Wwwft) requires all submitted information that is traceable to remain confidential and handed over to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIUNederland), from where further investigations are made if there are sufficient grounds to suspect foul play. 

Despite the decreased number of reported incidents, the KSA report concludes that it is too early to talk about a reduced nationwide risk of match-fixing. There could be, however, an indication that awareness has “waned” among licence holders around their responsibility to inform the SBIU “without delay” about potential manipulation. 

In a recent move to limit match-fixing in the country, the KSA reached out to a number of providers with a request to treat amateur sports competitions with increased awareness and due diligence.