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In the Pocket of the Gambling Mafia – Making Billions with Soccer Bets

January 9, 2014

Soccer matches intentionally lost, irregular penalties, bribes paid to players and referees – match fixing is now seen as a major threat to the integrity of sports, and especially soccer.

https://p.dw.com/p/1AfFl

The annual revenue from betting on sports is estimated to be around 200 billion euros worldwide. With so much money changing hands, sports betting has become an obvious target for organized crime. The gambling mafia has manipulated soccer matches in countries around the world, ranging from matches at the international level to the Champions League and even 19-and-under youth leagues.

Many of the illegal betting operations are run by gambling houses based in Asia. Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are at the center of global illegal betting and match-fixing syndicates. A single match can often involve millions of euros in illegal wagers, even among lesser-known clubs in Germany’s regional leagues. Our report reveals the impact the gambling mafia is having on matches and players in the world’s most popular sport.

Though most illegal betting syndicates are based in Asia, their reach extends to Europe.
Though most illegal betting syndicates are based in Asia, their reach extends to Europe.



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