IBIA reports drop in Q3 suspicious betting activity as esports concerns ease

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has reported year-on-year decline in the number of suspicious betting alerts it recorded in Q3, while less esports cases also led to a quarter-on-quarter drop.

The association’s technology detects and reports incidents of suspicious betting activity, to be shared with leading sports bodies including FIFA, UEFA, ITIA and the IOC, as well as global gambling regulators

In total, the IBIA reported 42 suspicious betting alerts during Q3. This is down from 50 in the last year and a sharp drop from 90 in Q2 this year.

Tennis and football attracted the highest number of suspicious activity in Q3, with each sport leading to 14 alerts in total. The IBIA said such levels are in line with numbers seen in recent years.

Esports was next with 12 alerts made during the period, up from three last year but far fewer than in Q2. A single esports case related to suspicious betting activity across 68 e-football matches played in Q1 and Q2.

The remaining two alerts relate to bowls and table tennis.

Europe tops the charts for suspicious betting
Geographically, Europe was again the source of the most alerts in Q3. The continent drew 14 alerts in total, with nine attributed to tennis events, three to football and one each for table tennis and bowls.

Italy and Serbia led the charts for countries with the most alerts – three apiece.

Elsewhere, Africa saw five alerts, all of which were for football in Burundi. Four alerts in Asia were also noted – three for football and one for tennis. These were the first made in Burundi since 2020.

South America also drew four alerts, again split across football and tennis. In addition, a further three were for tennis events played in North America, with two in the US and one Mexico.

As for the 12 esports alerts in Q3, the IBIA said they have not been allocated a country. This is because it is not always clear where an event has been hosted.

IBIA welcomes “significant” fall in suspicious tennis betting
Commenting on the quarter, IBIA CEO Khalid Ali said he is pleased with the overall decline in alerts in Q3. In addition to the sharp drop in esports alerts, he also said tennis alerts are now some way below their peak.

“The third quarter saw football and tennis register the highest number of alerts, albeit those numbers are in line with those seen in recent years,” Ali said. “In the case of tennis, it represents a significant decrease compared to its peak.

“It should also be noted that esports alerts fell back to more normal levels in Q3, following an increase during Q1 and Q2 that was primarily the result of a linked case.

“We continue to work closely with the integrity authorities for those sports, and indeed all sports, where we see suspicious betting, with the aim of detecting and sanctioning corrupt activity to protect sporting events and betting markets.”