ESSA has reported that suspicious betting activity was down in the three months through to September 30, with the number of cases detected by the global sports betting integrity body lower than the amount flagged in each of the first two quarters.
The body detected 18 suspicious cases in the third quarter, lower than the 24 reported during the first quarter and the 23 that were revealed in the second quarter.
ESSA members raised a total of 73 alerts during the three-month period, with 18 of these found to be suspicious.
The body also noted that tennis continues to lead the way in terms of suspicious betting activity, with the sport representing 72% of total alert in the period.
This continues an ongoing trend from the first and second quarter, during which tennis was also cited as the sport that generated the most alerts.
Despite the drop in suspicious betting cases, ESSA chairman Mike O’Kane said the figures show the ongoing threat to sport, consumers and betting operators from fraud linked to the manipulation of sporting events.
“The figures show an ongoing need to continue to monitor integrity issues within the sports sector,” O’Kane said.
“Whilst we work closely with a number of committed and effective sports and regulatory bodies, there remains the need to see sports governance move up the political agenda.
“The recently agreed UK Action Plan shows how all stakeholders can work together with a common aim.”
Such issues will be the focus of a discussion around match-fixing and sporting integrity, which will take place at ESSA’s betting integrity event in the European Parliament on October 14.
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
