The Spread of Sports Match or Games Fixing:
for Illegal Gambling and Organized Crime
Introduction:
Match-fixing or game-fixing refers to the manipulation of a sporting event's outcome to benefit those who have placed bets on the event's outcome. This illegal activity has been a growing concern in the sports industry, as it not only undermines the integrity of the game but also poses a significant threat to the financial stability and reputation of the sports industry. In this report, we will examine the spread of match-fixing in sports for illegal gambling and organized crime.
The Scope of Match-Fixing in Sports:
Match-fixing is not limited to any specific sport or country, and it has been reported in various forms across the world. Football, basketball, cricket, and tennis are the most vulnerable sports to match-fixing, as they have the highest level of viewership and betting markets. According to the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), match-fixing is a global phenomenon and has affected almost every continent, with Asia being the most affected.
The Reasons for Match-Fixing:
Match-fixing occurs for various reasons, with the most common being illegal gambling and organized crime. Illegal gambling has been on the rise, and it is estimated that billions of dollars are spent on illegal gambling every year. The popularity of online gambling has also made it easier for bookmakers to target vulnerable players and officials for match-fixing.
Organized crime groups also engage in match-fixing to launder money, with the profits from illegal gambling being used to finance other criminal activities. These criminal organizations target vulnerable athletes and officials who need money or are susceptible to blackmail or intimidation.
Keywords: Soccer/football. Corruption, Games/Match Fixing, Sports Clubs, Officials, Players, Bookies, Illegal Gambling, Organized Crime, Money-laundering
(To be continued)