New York sports betting achieved unprecedented revenue figures in July, sports betting gamblers experienced significant losses during this period, contributing to record-breaking operator revenues that defied typical summer seasonality trends. The surge came as World Cup betting activity drove exceptional wagering volumes during a traditionally slower period for the industry. At this time, major operators capitalized on the heightened engagement, with FanDuel and DraftKings leading the competitive landscape.
The New York Gaming Commission reported eight online sportsbooks generated gross revenue of USD 214.40 million from a USD 1.88 billion handle in July. This 11.4% hold represented more than double June’s rate, when operators faced challenging market conditions. The performance marked the first time operators produced at least USD 200 million in gross revenue during July since wagering launched in January 2022.
Sportsbooks captured over USD 97 million more in July compared to June, driven by back-to-back weeks of at least USD 63 million in profits. Year-over-year revenue spiked 37.8%, demonstrating significant growth from the previous July’s performance. The double-digit win rate combined with substantial wagering volume helped the Empire State collect USD 109.30 million in tax revenue for the month.
As a result of the strong July performance, the year-to-date tax revenue total surpassed USD 725 million. The recovery from June’s lower hold percentage demonstrated operator ability to capitalize on favorable betting outcomes during a period when World Cup action supplemented traditional summer sports offerings. New York sports betting operators benefited from improved margins while maintaining substantial handle figures throughout the month.
World Cup Betting Drives Unprecedented Summer Action
The 2026 FIFA World Cup served as the primary catalyst for July’s exceptional performance. Hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the tournament featured 48 teams competing in 104 matches throughout the month. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute after a 0-0 regulation draw.
Hard Rock Bet Senior Vice President Neil Walsh characterized the event’s magnitude, stating the World Cup represented “the equivalent of 10 Super Bowls” and called it “the biggest betting event in American history”. Caesars Sportsbook reported the final generated handle nearly 65% higher than the company’s previous tournament record. In fact, the match set new Caesars records for total handle, total wagers, and unique bettors.
Betting outcomes heavily favored operators. Argentina attracted the bulk of action in both three-way moneyline and To Lift The Trophy markets. The scoreless regulation period eliminated all three-way moneyline bets on either team, while Spain’s overtime victory wiped out Argentina futures positions. SuperBook Vice President John Murray described the result as “about our best-case scenario”. Circa Sports Director Jeff Benson called it “a nice bonus for what otherwise would be a slow summer”.
FanDuel and DraftKings Lead Operator Performance
FanDuel and DraftKings maintained their stranglehold on New York sports betting during July’s record month. FanDuel dominated bettors behind a 13.2% win rate, generating state-high gross revenue of USD 86.10 million on a USD 651.20 million handle, double what the operator made in June. DraftKings led all online New York sports betting operators for the second consecutive July with a USD 661.50 million handle, while its 11% hold generated USD 72.90 million in gross revenue, second among the state’s operators.
The two platforms command 44% and 34% of the market respectively, holding approximately 80% of the U.S. sports betting market combined. DraftKings holds about 32% market share nationally.
Fanatics fell just shy of a double-digit hold, but the online sportsbook won USD 21.10 million in July, a 129% month-over-month increase, on over USD 221.00 million in wagers. BetMGM won back 11.3% on a USD 138.30 million handle, while Caesars reached a hold of 9.3% on USD 122.60 million in wagers. The competitive landscape demonstrated clear separation between the market leaders and secondary operators during the World Cup-driven betting surge.
Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts
August 10, 2026
New York Sports Betting Revenue Hits Record High as Bettors Lose Big in July
June 18, 2026
World Cup player Elye Wahi arrested for alleged fixing offences on eve of tournament
Elye Wahi, the Ivory Coast footballer who is playing at the 2026 World Cup, was arrested on suspicion of fixing offences less than two weeks before the tournament.
Sources with knowledge of events, who like others spoke anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, confirmed the 23-year-old is the subject of an active investigation, which is seeking to establish whether Wahi, while playing for his club side Nice, deliberately earned a yellow card against Metz on May 17.
Wahi was subsequently arrested by French police on May 29, immediately after starring with two goals in a win over Saint-Etienne that kept Nice in Ligue 1, France’s top division.
He has subsequently travelled to the United States for the World Cup and started in Ivory Coast’s 1-0 over Ecuador on Sunday in Philadelphia, hitting the bar in the second half. Ivory Coast’s next game is against Germany in Toronto on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering.
“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”
According to multiple sources with knowledge of the case, who spoke anonymously so that they could discuss the allegations candidly, the probe began after the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the governing body that runs the domestic game in France, received several notifications of suspicious betting patterns in Nice’s Ligue 1 fixture against Metz, involving wagers on Wahi to receive a yellow card.
The practice of manipulating events within a game is known as spot-fixing.
The LFP confirmed they had been alerted to “an unusual volume of bets relating to a booking involving the player Elye Wahi.”
A statement on Wednesday read: “At this stage, and in view of the ongoing proceedings and the associated confidentiality requirements imposed on it by the police authorities, the LFP will not make any further comment and has not initiated any disciplinary proceedings. It reserves the right, however, to do so depending on how the investigations progress.
“The LFP reiterates that it remains fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of its competitions and that it will take the strongest possible action against any behaviour likely to compromise it.”
Wahi was included in Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad on May 15, four days before the Metz fixture.
In that match, Wahi received a yellow card in the 35th minute after a late tackle on Metz defender Sadibou Sane. He had previously committed a foul two minutes earlier, when sliding in on full-back Bouna Sarr, though that challenge did not result in a caution.
Following that booking, Wahi was suspended for the first leg of Nice’s relegation play-off against Saint-Etienne on May 26, having picked up five yellow cards over the course of the Ligue 1 season. With Wahi watching on from the stands, Nice drew 0-0 away from home.
Wahi returned to the starting line-up in the second leg three days later — starring in a 4-1 home victory in which he scored two goals and was named man of the match.
He was subsequently arrested by anti-corruption specialists in the French police.
Wahi has not been charged with any crime as the investigation continues and subsequently travelled to North America for the World Cup.
The striker previously represented France at youth level before switching allegiance to the Ivory Coast in March this year.
Wahi played 55 minutes at striker against Ecuador, linking up well with man of the match Yan Diomande before hitting the bar two minutes before his substitution. He was replaced by Inter Milan forward Ange Yoan-Bonny, with Manchester United’s Amad Diallo scoring a 90th-minute winner.
FIFA did not respond when asked if it was aware of Wahi’s arrest prior to the striker playing on Sunday or whether the arrest would affect Wahi’s eligibility to play or to travel.
Wahi is due to travel to Canada for the Ivory Coast’s match in Toronto on Saturday against Group E leaders Germany. Canada this week denied entry to Ghana’s Thomas Partey for reasons related to rape charges against him in the UK, which he strongly denies.
Born on the outskirts of Paris in 2003, Wahi originally spent time at the Caen academy before breaking into Ligue 1 with Montpellier in the 2020-21 season. He subsequently played for fellow French sides Lens and Marseille before joining Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt at the start of last season.
After a goalless first half of the season in Germany, he joined Nice on loan in January, helping keep the club in Ligue 1 with five goals in 14 league appearances.
June 27, 2018
World Cup online betting is the highest it’s ever been
Sports betting is worth up to £625 billion per year, with 70% of that trade reckoned to come from football. During big sporting competitions, such as the World Cup, even more money is spent gambling than usual. Over the 2018 World Cup, bookmakers are estimated to make a profit of US$36.4 billion (£41.3 billion). And in the UK, the amount of money spent on gambling during the World Cup is expected to more than double from £1 billion in 2014 to £2.5 billion this year.
Sports gambling is being driven by the unlimited availability of online betting and the fact that no physical money is exchanged, making financial transactions seem less real. The vast amount of data that online gambling sites collect also enables them to personalise offers to individual gamblers. Instead, this data should be used to help people gamble responsibly by warning users in real-time that they are exhibiting problematic gambling behaviours.
For many people, gambling isn’t just a fun novelty every four years. About 430,000 citizens in the UK can be identified as problem gamblers. These individuals have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds online, which has impacted not only the gamblers but also their families.
High profile but infrequent betting events such as the Word Cup exacerbate the issues that problem gamblers face. Seeing others engage in betting, coupled with the advertisements from betting firms, leads problem gamblers to attempt to convince themselves that they do not have a problem. Environmental cues can also trigger the urge to gamble in those who have a gambling problem. So, the intensive advertising used by betting firms during the World Cup, along with media coverage of the World Cup in general, may further push problem gamblers towards making harmful decisions.
Online gambling sites have an infinite memory for bets – when made, for how much, regarding what, and so on. This data is a rich source that websites use for tailoring offers and marketing material to fit a gambler’s potential interests. But this personalisation exploits cognitive biases in gamblers and encourages them to increase risk-taking and by extension, gambling.
There is only a fine line between the legitimate marketing and personalisation of content and offers on the one hand and exploitation and manipulation on the other. For example, the tracking of a gambler’s betting pattern means the gambler can be targeted with offers following heavy losses, encouraging them to chase losses even further.
But this same data could also be used to support reductions in problem gambling, either led by gamblers themselves or with the support of a counsellor or software. Such transparency could enhance the image of the gambling industry and make responsible gambling a shared responsibility between gamblers and bookmakers.
In our EROGamb project, funded by GambleAware and Bournemouth University, we advocate a policy change where gambling sites provide gambling behavioural data to gamblers and their surrogates in real-time.
This data would provide an unprecedented opportunity to tackle problem gambling. For example, the data could lead to the app informing gamblers that they are exhibiting problematic gambling patterns. The real-time collection of information such as “the gambler has reached the monthly spending limit” could trigger a message visualising their past betting behaviour and a reminder of a commitment already made.
In our studies, digital addicts, including online gambling addicts, have indicated that having access to such data would act as a wake-up call, raising awareness. Digital media users, in general, like to be in control of their usage through labels and awareness tools.
Similar facilities have started to exist in mainstream digital media. For example, on Google, it is now possible to download your data and on Facebook to download your profile data history of interaction, but not currently as real-time streaming of data as actions happen.
We understand the barriers to implementing this vision. Gambling operators may not have such data readily available and may even rely on third parties to offer certain games. Some also fear that gamblers might share the data with competitor gambling sites, giving away information about marketing practices. But the General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) right to data portability holds that gamblers shall not be prevented from accessing and sharing their data.
Given the advantages, and also the increased demand for transparency, this would eventually become the recommended practice for demonstrating advanced corporate social responsibility and inspiring the trust of the public and clients in the gambling industry. We are preparing a charter for the gambling industry towards a commitment for that.
The rise of online gambling, combined with the record amount of money being spent on gambling at this year’s World Cup makes this the perfect time to discuss what we can do to prevent and combat gambling addiction. Simply by using data to help people be better aware of their gambling habits, rather than hooking them back into their next bet, gambling sites could make a massive difference.
Sports gambling is being driven by the unlimited availability of online betting and the fact that no physical money is exchanged, making financial transactions seem less real. The vast amount of data that online gambling sites collect also enables them to personalise offers to individual gamblers. Instead, this data should be used to help people gamble responsibly by warning users in real-time that they are exhibiting problematic gambling behaviours.
For many people, gambling isn’t just a fun novelty every four years. About 430,000 citizens in the UK can be identified as problem gamblers. These individuals have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds online, which has impacted not only the gamblers but also their families.
High profile but infrequent betting events such as the Word Cup exacerbate the issues that problem gamblers face. Seeing others engage in betting, coupled with the advertisements from betting firms, leads problem gamblers to attempt to convince themselves that they do not have a problem. Environmental cues can also trigger the urge to gamble in those who have a gambling problem. So, the intensive advertising used by betting firms during the World Cup, along with media coverage of the World Cup in general, may further push problem gamblers towards making harmful decisions.
Online gambling sites have an infinite memory for bets – when made, for how much, regarding what, and so on. This data is a rich source that websites use for tailoring offers and marketing material to fit a gambler’s potential interests. But this personalisation exploits cognitive biases in gamblers and encourages them to increase risk-taking and by extension, gambling.
There is only a fine line between the legitimate marketing and personalisation of content and offers on the one hand and exploitation and manipulation on the other. For example, the tracking of a gambler’s betting pattern means the gambler can be targeted with offers following heavy losses, encouraging them to chase losses even further.
But this same data could also be used to support reductions in problem gambling, either led by gamblers themselves or with the support of a counsellor or software. Such transparency could enhance the image of the gambling industry and make responsible gambling a shared responsibility between gamblers and bookmakers.
In our EROGamb project, funded by GambleAware and Bournemouth University, we advocate a policy change where gambling sites provide gambling behavioural data to gamblers and their surrogates in real-time.
This data would provide an unprecedented opportunity to tackle problem gambling. For example, the data could lead to the app informing gamblers that they are exhibiting problematic gambling patterns. The real-time collection of information such as “the gambler has reached the monthly spending limit” could trigger a message visualising their past betting behaviour and a reminder of a commitment already made.
In our studies, digital addicts, including online gambling addicts, have indicated that having access to such data would act as a wake-up call, raising awareness. Digital media users, in general, like to be in control of their usage through labels and awareness tools.
Similar facilities have started to exist in mainstream digital media. For example, on Google, it is now possible to download your data and on Facebook to download your profile data history of interaction, but not currently as real-time streaming of data as actions happen.
We understand the barriers to implementing this vision. Gambling operators may not have such data readily available and may even rely on third parties to offer certain games. Some also fear that gamblers might share the data with competitor gambling sites, giving away information about marketing practices. But the General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) right to data portability holds that gamblers shall not be prevented from accessing and sharing their data.
The rise of online gambling, combined with the record amount of money being spent on gambling at this year’s World Cup makes this the perfect time to discuss what we can do to prevent and combat gambling addiction. Simply by using data to help people be better aware of their gambling habits, rather than hooking them back into their next bet, gambling sites could make a massive difference.
July 10, 2014
Pinnacle Sports: Brazil bigger than Euros and South Africa combined
Phil Hudson, Acquisitions Manager at Pinnacle Sports, discusses his firm’s decision to open up the World Cup Final to $1million bets.
Do you anticipate the World Cup Final to be your biggest ever betting market?
Yes, we fully anticipated volume to exceed both Euro 2012 and World Cup in 2010 combined, with live and mobile components of that making significant contributions.
How has business been during this tournament?
The volume received is living up to our expectation, and with $1million limits for the final, we hope to end the tournament on a real high. Not only are we accepting $1million bets, but our customers also have ave the option to rebet at that stake as well.
Can you envisage rolling out the higher betting limits to other events?
Well our limits for the 2014 Super Bowl were $250k, NBA hit $100K and we regularly go to $500k for the Champions League so we are certainly looking to push the boundaries on limits across all our major sports.
Why persevere with the $1 minimum bet size? Isn’t this almost costing you money?
Though we have a wholesale model we are keen to acquire customers from right across the betting spectrum, as we believe all bettors should seek to maximize value. Given we don’t have specific sign up incentives this is cost effective, and our message is about educating bettors – especially those who are new to gambling – rather than just preaching to the converted.
Why do you think other bookmakers run scared of hefty bets? Is the art of balancing books a lost one? Or just out of fashion in favour of risk taking?
I cannot comment on the reasoning behind it, but bookmaking has certainly become homogenized with the risk-management aspects in many cases outsourced. Pinnacle Sports do all risk-management in-house, and it is the strength of this expertise that enables us to provide a low margin, high limits model, where winners are welcome back, unrestricted.
Do you anticipate the World Cup Final to be your biggest ever betting market?
Yes, we fully anticipated volume to exceed both Euro 2012 and World Cup in 2010 combined, with live and mobile components of that making significant contributions.
How has business been during this tournament?
The volume received is living up to our expectation, and with $1million limits for the final, we hope to end the tournament on a real high. Not only are we accepting $1million bets, but our customers also have ave the option to rebet at that stake as well.
Can you envisage rolling out the higher betting limits to other events?
Well our limits for the 2014 Super Bowl were $250k, NBA hit $100K and we regularly go to $500k for the Champions League so we are certainly looking to push the boundaries on limits across all our major sports.
Why persevere with the $1 minimum bet size? Isn’t this almost costing you money?
Though we have a wholesale model we are keen to acquire customers from right across the betting spectrum, as we believe all bettors should seek to maximize value. Given we don’t have specific sign up incentives this is cost effective, and our message is about educating bettors – especially those who are new to gambling – rather than just preaching to the converted.
Why do you think other bookmakers run scared of hefty bets? Is the art of balancing books a lost one? Or just out of fashion in favour of risk taking?
I cannot comment on the reasoning behind it, but bookmaking has certainly become homogenized with the risk-management aspects in many cases outsourced. Pinnacle Sports do all risk-management in-house, and it is the strength of this expertise that enables us to provide a low margin, high limits model, where winners are welcome back, unrestricted.
July 04, 2014
New social marketing campaign from Paddy Power
Bookmaker Paddy Power has launched a new word-of-mouth social media campaign, designed to capture the excitement of online audiences across the summer sporting events including the FIFA World Cup.
The ongoing social commerce campaign, launched in partnership with social-selling platform Buyapowa, will give sports fans the opportunity to earn special rewards including improved odds by spreading the word amongst family and friends. The first promotion will focus on the World Cup quarter finals.
The series of co-buying promotions will offer Paddy Power’s online followers and existing customers the opportunity to increase the odds they receive on the bets they’ve already placed, by getting friends and family in on the deal. The more people who take part and commit to buy, the better the price gets for everyone, creating a built-in incentive for sports fans to drive word-of-mouth. A top prize will also go to the customer who generates the most referrals.
Gideon Lask, CEO, Buyapowa says: “Paddy Power has a loyal core of customers, and with this campaign we’re aiming to fire up the online community to get other sports fans involved in an online flutter. This is a fun new take on the office sweepstake – a great way to get everyone involved in this summer’s sporting events, by gamifying the process of placing an online bet.
“Paddy Power already have a fantastic and growing fan-base online, so we see this as a way of rewarding those loyal fans who already love what they do, and giving soon-to-be fans an extra reason to get involved. In order to cut through the noise brands need to drive advocacy, enthusiasm, and human-generated content that flies straight to the top of users’ friends’ News Feeds, offering them an opportunity to participate and get rewarded. That’s what we’re helping Paddy Power to do.”
Mark Singleton, Head of Sportsbook Marketing at Paddy Power says: “We’re in the middle of the busiest season of the year with high profile sporting events coming thick and fast. We want not just to be a part of the conversation but a part of the experience – and that means offering our online community some amazing offers to give them added entertainment during the biggest sporting events of the summer. We’re pretty sure it’s the best friends and family deal since the dawn of the chicken bucket, so we’re hoping this partnership with Buyapowa will excite our customers and help us continue to innovate online.”
The ongoing social commerce campaign, launched in partnership with social-selling platform Buyapowa, will give sports fans the opportunity to earn special rewards including improved odds by spreading the word amongst family and friends. The first promotion will focus on the World Cup quarter finals.
The series of co-buying promotions will offer Paddy Power’s online followers and existing customers the opportunity to increase the odds they receive on the bets they’ve already placed, by getting friends and family in on the deal. The more people who take part and commit to buy, the better the price gets for everyone, creating a built-in incentive for sports fans to drive word-of-mouth. A top prize will also go to the customer who generates the most referrals.
Gideon Lask, CEO, Buyapowa says: “Paddy Power has a loyal core of customers, and with this campaign we’re aiming to fire up the online community to get other sports fans involved in an online flutter. This is a fun new take on the office sweepstake – a great way to get everyone involved in this summer’s sporting events, by gamifying the process of placing an online bet.
“Paddy Power already have a fantastic and growing fan-base online, so we see this as a way of rewarding those loyal fans who already love what they do, and giving soon-to-be fans an extra reason to get involved. In order to cut through the noise brands need to drive advocacy, enthusiasm, and human-generated content that flies straight to the top of users’ friends’ News Feeds, offering them an opportunity to participate and get rewarded. That’s what we’re helping Paddy Power to do.”
Mark Singleton, Head of Sportsbook Marketing at Paddy Power says: “We’re in the middle of the busiest season of the year with high profile sporting events coming thick and fast. We want not just to be a part of the conversation but a part of the experience – and that means offering our online community some amazing offers to give them added entertainment during the biggest sporting events of the summer. We’re pretty sure it’s the best friends and family deal since the dawn of the chicken bucket, so we’re hoping this partnership with Buyapowa will excite our customers and help us continue to innovate online.”
July 03, 2014
FIFA: No Cameroon Fixing
FIFA have revealed they have found "no indication of any match manipulation" by the Cameroon national team, nor from any other country at the 2014 World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions' woeful showing at the Brazil showpiece, where they finished rock bottom of Group A, was further dragged through the mud after it was claimed no fewer than seven of the squad members had been involved in cheating.
German magazine Der Spiegel had claimed convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal had correctly predicted Cameroon's 4-0 defeat to Croatia, the match being most closely scrutinised, although he denied those claims soon after.
World football's governing body have also claimed they have been closely monitoring all games at the tournament, and that they have unearthed no evidence to support match fixing by any Cameroonian.
"We have requested from Der Spiegel all the communications with Perumal and any other material they claim to possess in order to prove the allegations they have made in public," FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer told reporters.
"The article has put the integrity of the FIFA World Cup in question which is a serious allegation.
"As mentioned on various occasions, FIFA has carefully monitored all 56 games to date and continue to monitor.
"So far we have found no indication of any match manipulation on the betting market in relation to any of the World Cup matches."
The Indomitable Lions' woeful showing at the Brazil showpiece, where they finished rock bottom of Group A, was further dragged through the mud after it was claimed no fewer than seven of the squad members had been involved in cheating.
German magazine Der Spiegel had claimed convicted match-fixer Wilson Perumal had correctly predicted Cameroon's 4-0 defeat to Croatia, the match being most closely scrutinised, although he denied those claims soon after.
World football's governing body have also claimed they have been closely monitoring all games at the tournament, and that they have unearthed no evidence to support match fixing by any Cameroonian.
"We have requested from Der Spiegel all the communications with Perumal and any other material they claim to possess in order to prove the allegations they have made in public," FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer told reporters.
"The article has put the integrity of the FIFA World Cup in question which is a serious allegation.
"As mentioned on various occasions, FIFA has carefully monitored all 56 games to date and continue to monitor.
"So far we have found no indication of any match manipulation on the betting market in relation to any of the World Cup matches."
July 01, 2014
Cameroon investigates match-fixing claims
Cameroon officials are to investigate claims that seven of their players were involved in match-fixing at the World Cup in Brazil.
The ethics committee of the African country's football federation will look at allegations of "fraud" by "seven bad apples" in their three group games.
The allegations have been made in a German newspaper by a convicted match fixer from Singapore.
Cameroon lost all their Group A games, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia.
The Indomitable Lions had Alex Song sent off for lashing out at Mario Mandzukic in that game, while team-mates Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo clashed late on in the game.
A statement from Cameroon's FA read: "Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with Fifa's code of conduct and the ethics of our nation.
"We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays."
Fifa did not comment on whether it was looking into the issue as football's world governing body did not want to "compromise any possible investigations".
It did, however, add: "Speaking generally, the integrity of the game is a top priority for Fifa and as such we take any allegations of match manipulation very seriously."
The ethics committee of the African country's football federation will look at allegations of "fraud" by "seven bad apples" in their three group games.
The allegations have been made in a German newspaper by a convicted match fixer from Singapore.
Cameroon lost all their Group A games, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia.
The Indomitable Lions had Alex Song sent off for lashing out at Mario Mandzukic in that game, while team-mates Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo clashed late on in the game.
A statement from Cameroon's FA read: "Recent allegations of fraud around Cameroon's 2014 Fifa World Cup three preliminary games, especially Cameroon versus Croatia, as well of the 'existence of seven bad apples [in our national team]' do not reflect the values and principles promoted by our administration, in line with Fifa's code of conduct and the ethics of our nation.
"We are strongly committed to employ all means necessary to resolve this disruptive matter in the shortest delays."
Fifa did not comment on whether it was looking into the issue as football's world governing body did not want to "compromise any possible investigations".
It did, however, add: "Speaking generally, the integrity of the game is a top priority for Fifa and as such we take any allegations of match manipulation very seriously."
June 27, 2014
Bookmakers count cost of England’s early exit
British bookmakers are cursing their luck that England delivered such a dire display and see themselves dumped out of the World Cup at such an early stage. They had been been anticipating a monumental haul this tournament, one which would provide a financial breakwater ahead of the forthcoming tax changes.
William Hill predicted a turnover double that of the previous World Cup in 2010, to the tune of £200m. Despite England’s lacklustre showing however bookmakers remain positive due to the excitement created amongst gamblers by the array of high scoring and unpredictable matches.
“We are hopeful interest will remain high given the number of goals in the tournament and the free-flowing football,” explained Ciaran O’Brien, a Ladbrokes spokesperson.
A representative of William Hill, Kate Miller, stated how they are pleased with their current turnover and that “pre-tournament targets still remain achievable.” She moved on to say that though England bowing out is a blow, “they were always realistic about their likely performance.”
The general consensus amongst bookmakers is that, with the knockout stages not yet played, it’s too early to draw any overall conclusions from this campaign at this point.
After a fall in bets placed for the meaningless Costa Rica game Ladbrokes and Betfair have attempted to come up with solutions to maintain interest in the competition. Ladbrokes have offered to refund some losing bets from England’s 2-1 loss to Uruguay whilst Betfair have adopted a similar approach.
It’s an extremely difficult time for British bookmakers with the looming tax alterations and the recent general tightening of regulations which have seen share prices fall drastically. As such this World Cup gained enhanced significance with all seeking to gain a larger market share ahead of the changes. They are not the only victims however; pubs and bars, hopeful of a early summer treat with England’s games always certain to pack the place out, will also bear the brunt of another disappointing performance.
The tournament has at least confirmed the expected, continued trend for in-play betting and the popularity of betting via smart phone or tablet. With precious few draws in the competition so far bookmakers have been helped by the performances of Costa Rica and Chile who have surprised many with some excellent results.
Betfair’s James Midmer said how; “Costa Rica and Chile have been the bookmakers’ friends in the group stages.” Both made it through to the next stage with Costa Rica the shock package of the World Cup having beaten both Uruguay and Italy.
William Hill predicted a turnover double that of the previous World Cup in 2010, to the tune of £200m. Despite England’s lacklustre showing however bookmakers remain positive due to the excitement created amongst gamblers by the array of high scoring and unpredictable matches.
“We are hopeful interest will remain high given the number of goals in the tournament and the free-flowing football,” explained Ciaran O’Brien, a Ladbrokes spokesperson.
A representative of William Hill, Kate Miller, stated how they are pleased with their current turnover and that “pre-tournament targets still remain achievable.” She moved on to say that though England bowing out is a blow, “they were always realistic about their likely performance.”
The general consensus amongst bookmakers is that, with the knockout stages not yet played, it’s too early to draw any overall conclusions from this campaign at this point.
After a fall in bets placed for the meaningless Costa Rica game Ladbrokes and Betfair have attempted to come up with solutions to maintain interest in the competition. Ladbrokes have offered to refund some losing bets from England’s 2-1 loss to Uruguay whilst Betfair have adopted a similar approach.
It’s an extremely difficult time for British bookmakers with the looming tax alterations and the recent general tightening of regulations which have seen share prices fall drastically. As such this World Cup gained enhanced significance with all seeking to gain a larger market share ahead of the changes. They are not the only victims however; pubs and bars, hopeful of a early summer treat with England’s games always certain to pack the place out, will also bear the brunt of another disappointing performance.
The tournament has at least confirmed the expected, continued trend for in-play betting and the popularity of betting via smart phone or tablet. With precious few draws in the competition so far bookmakers have been helped by the performances of Costa Rica and Chile who have surprised many with some excellent results.
Betfair’s James Midmer said how; “Costa Rica and Chile have been the bookmakers’ friends in the group stages.” Both made it through to the next stage with Costa Rica the shock package of the World Cup having beaten both Uruguay and Italy.
August 04, 2011
World Cup 2014: Shadow of alleged match-fixing already haunting competition
The preliminary draw for Brazil’s World Cup took place on Saturday but already the shadow of alleged match-fixing has touched the 2014 qualifying tournament.
The threat of fixing was highlighted by Fifa president Sepp Blatter prior to the draw in Rio and Telegraph Sport can disclose that one of the early rounds of Asian qualifying has been internally investigated following allegations of manipulation.
Fifa investigators have been alerted to unusual betting patterns in connection with the two-legged tie between Cambodia and Laos in the first round of the Asian Football Confederation qualifying zone.
Both countries were eliminated before the preliminary draw in Rio, but the case highlights the rash of match-fixing allegations that have touched teams in more than 50 countries.
The first game in Phnom Penh on June 29 was won 4-2 by Cambodia, with the return in Vientiane on July 3 won by Laos 6-2 after extra time, enough for them to progress to the second round. The second leg was followed by accusations in Cambodia that the game was manipulated, and Telegraph Sport understands that data from betting monitoring software, including the Early Warning System used by Fifa, has highlighted unusual patterns, particularly in the first game.
The last goal in that game, scored by Cambodia in the 88th minute, attracted highly unusual betting patterns. With 86 minutes gone Cambodia were five-to-one on to score again on Asian handicap markets, an extreme price.
According to footage of the game on YouTube, Cambodia had two goals disallowed in the last six minutes, after 84 and 86 minutes, and Laos had a penalty appeal turned down in the 88th minute shortly before Cambodia’s Samel Nasa scored.
The second leg finished 4-2 to Laos after 90 minutes, with two further goals in extra time sealing their progress to the second round, where they lost to China 13-3 on aggregate.
Fifa would not comment on whether the case was part of its ongoing investigation into match fixing.
In a statement Fifa said: “We cannot confirm or deny any specific investigation taking place on these matches”.
The Football Federation of Cambodia carried out an internal investigation after receiving allegations that the games might have been manipulated, but has found no evidence of match-fixing.
In an emailed response to questions May Tola, the deputy general-secretary of the FFC, said that it had heard “unconfirmed rumours” about the tie, and that supporters had made accusations after the disappointment of the second-leg defeat.
“Some had accused players of result manipulation,” Tola wrote.
“Immediately after the team returned home, our FFC leadership has instructed the federation to form an investigation commission to find out if there is any irregularities as rumoured accusation [sic].
“After thorough examination and discussion, the Commission has found no substantial evidence or suspicion that the match had been manipulated by players or whosoevers [sic] within the team.”
The acting president of the Asian Football Confederation told Telegraph Sport that while he was not aware of any direct evidence that the Cambodia v Laos games were “not genuinely contested”, the allegations underlined “the destructive nature of match-fixing”.
Zhang Jilong, of China, who became acting president when Mohamed bin Hammam was suspended by Fifa, described match-fixing as a “pandemic” in world football, and is hoping to open a dedicated Fifa security office in Asia next year.
Jilong said: “There is no doubt that match-fixing is a real danger to football’s ethical values and needs to be completely eliminated to preserve the sanctity of the sport.
"AFC will not rest until this plague is completely stamped out in Asia.”
Asia is considered the hub of match-fixing and Jilong is in talks with Fifa’s security department to open a dedicated security office in Asia by the start of 2012.
The latest concerns come as Fifa prepares to take disciplinary action against six match officials involved in two notorious internationals staged in Antalya, Turkey, in February, in which all seven goals were penalties.
The referees, from Hungary and Bosnia, have been summoned to appear at a disciplinary hearing in Zurich next week, though none is expected to attend having already been banned for life by their home federations.
The threat of fixing was highlighted by Fifa president Sepp Blatter prior to the draw in Rio and Telegraph Sport can disclose that one of the early rounds of Asian qualifying has been internally investigated following allegations of manipulation.
Fifa investigators have been alerted to unusual betting patterns in connection with the two-legged tie between Cambodia and Laos in the first round of the Asian Football Confederation qualifying zone.
Both countries were eliminated before the preliminary draw in Rio, but the case highlights the rash of match-fixing allegations that have touched teams in more than 50 countries.
The first game in Phnom Penh on June 29 was won 4-2 by Cambodia, with the return in Vientiane on July 3 won by Laos 6-2 after extra time, enough for them to progress to the second round. The second leg was followed by accusations in Cambodia that the game was manipulated, and Telegraph Sport understands that data from betting monitoring software, including the Early Warning System used by Fifa, has highlighted unusual patterns, particularly in the first game.
The last goal in that game, scored by Cambodia in the 88th minute, attracted highly unusual betting patterns. With 86 minutes gone Cambodia were five-to-one on to score again on Asian handicap markets, an extreme price.
According to footage of the game on YouTube, Cambodia had two goals disallowed in the last six minutes, after 84 and 86 minutes, and Laos had a penalty appeal turned down in the 88th minute shortly before Cambodia’s Samel Nasa scored.
The second leg finished 4-2 to Laos after 90 minutes, with two further goals in extra time sealing their progress to the second round, where they lost to China 13-3 on aggregate.
Fifa would not comment on whether the case was part of its ongoing investigation into match fixing.
In a statement Fifa said: “We cannot confirm or deny any specific investigation taking place on these matches”.
The Football Federation of Cambodia carried out an internal investigation after receiving allegations that the games might have been manipulated, but has found no evidence of match-fixing.
In an emailed response to questions May Tola, the deputy general-secretary of the FFC, said that it had heard “unconfirmed rumours” about the tie, and that supporters had made accusations after the disappointment of the second-leg defeat.
“Some had accused players of result manipulation,” Tola wrote.
“Immediately after the team returned home, our FFC leadership has instructed the federation to form an investigation commission to find out if there is any irregularities as rumoured accusation [sic].
“After thorough examination and discussion, the Commission has found no substantial evidence or suspicion that the match had been manipulated by players or whosoevers [sic] within the team.”
The acting president of the Asian Football Confederation told Telegraph Sport that while he was not aware of any direct evidence that the Cambodia v Laos games were “not genuinely contested”, the allegations underlined “the destructive nature of match-fixing”.
Zhang Jilong, of China, who became acting president when Mohamed bin Hammam was suspended by Fifa, described match-fixing as a “pandemic” in world football, and is hoping to open a dedicated Fifa security office in Asia next year.
Jilong said: “There is no doubt that match-fixing is a real danger to football’s ethical values and needs to be completely eliminated to preserve the sanctity of the sport.
"AFC will not rest until this plague is completely stamped out in Asia.”
Asia is considered the hub of match-fixing and Jilong is in talks with Fifa’s security department to open a dedicated security office in Asia by the start of 2012.
The latest concerns come as Fifa prepares to take disciplinary action against six match officials involved in two notorious internationals staged in Antalya, Turkey, in February, in which all seven goals were penalties.
The referees, from Hungary and Bosnia, have been summoned to appear at a disciplinary hearing in Zurich next week, though none is expected to attend having already been banned for life by their home federations.
June 22, 2010
Romanian bookies: all bets are off!
Thousands of bookies in Romania have suspended activity to protest a government draft law imposing a 25% tax on all gambling gains. The move is the second in a double blow to Romanian football lovers -- the national team didn't qualify for the World Cup.
Out of the country's 1,455 registered bookmakers, 1,400 are participating in the protest. They hope public pressure will force the government to drop the tax.
If the measure is passed, it could add more than 3m euros to state revenues in the next six months. The bookmakers, though, argue that thousands of jobs in the sector will be lost and people will switch to online gambling or illegal betting.
The blogosphere has joined the debate. "It seems normal to me to pay more. Just as everybody shows solidarity, willy-nilly, during the economic crisis, gambling earnings should be submitted to the same rules," says Partizanu on Gabriel Dima's blog.
"It's a big hoax here! The bookmakers used to do things in such a way that most of the earnings were under [150 euros] so that they avoided taxation. The state realised that in the meantime. So it is normal the bookmakers are now at a pinch because they stand to lose the dough," Sorin says on the forum of the Evenimentul Zilei daily.
"Another Romanian weirdness! The online bookmakers are seated abroad and thus the Romanian state loses its tax source because gamblers will resort to the online betting, as I will also do," Gusti added on the same forum.
With the bookies closed, the internet is the only option. "This morning, after I left the dentist, I went in the neighbourhood to place a bet. But as I opened the door, surprise, a sign said 'closed' and mentioned something about their strike. I didn't get angry, didn't kick the door, just went home and placed my bets while sitting in an armchair," says Florin M, who runs a betting blog -- Jurnal de Pariu (The Betting Diary).
Dante looks beyond the protest. "Let's get serious now! Don't let yourselves be deceived! [Bookies] are not fighting for us, but for themselves, because they are aware that because of the taxes people will migrate online and that scares them the most."
"I wonder what the logic behind this draft law is," Ronin asks on the same blog. "If the gambling business is going well, then money goes to the state budget. If they up the taxes, the bookmakers decrease their income and so happens to the contributions to the crippled budget," he argues.
"If a better gets less money than he invested, after paying 25% to the state, will he bet again? No, he won't, because he will have no financial motivation."
Out of the country's 1,455 registered bookmakers, 1,400 are participating in the protest. They hope public pressure will force the government to drop the tax.
If the measure is passed, it could add more than 3m euros to state revenues in the next six months. The bookmakers, though, argue that thousands of jobs in the sector will be lost and people will switch to online gambling or illegal betting.
The blogosphere has joined the debate. "It seems normal to me to pay more. Just as everybody shows solidarity, willy-nilly, during the economic crisis, gambling earnings should be submitted to the same rules," says Partizanu on Gabriel Dima's blog.
"It's a big hoax here! The bookmakers used to do things in such a way that most of the earnings were under [150 euros] so that they avoided taxation. The state realised that in the meantime. So it is normal the bookmakers are now at a pinch because they stand to lose the dough," Sorin says on the forum of the Evenimentul Zilei daily.
"Another Romanian weirdness! The online bookmakers are seated abroad and thus the Romanian state loses its tax source because gamblers will resort to the online betting, as I will also do," Gusti added on the same forum.
With the bookies closed, the internet is the only option. "This morning, after I left the dentist, I went in the neighbourhood to place a bet. But as I opened the door, surprise, a sign said 'closed' and mentioned something about their strike. I didn't get angry, didn't kick the door, just went home and placed my bets while sitting in an armchair," says Florin M, who runs a betting blog -- Jurnal de Pariu (The Betting Diary).
Dante looks beyond the protest. "Let's get serious now! Don't let yourselves be deceived! [Bookies] are not fighting for us, but for themselves, because they are aware that because of the taxes people will migrate online and that scares them the most."
"I wonder what the logic behind this draft law is," Ronin asks on the same blog. "If the gambling business is going well, then money goes to the state budget. If they up the taxes, the bookmakers decrease their income and so happens to the contributions to the crippled budget," he argues.
"If a better gets less money than he invested, after paying 25% to the state, will he bet again? No, he won't, because he will have no financial motivation."
June 17, 2010
Spain World Cup loss has bookies smiling
With Wednesday's upset of Spain in the 2010 World Cup versus Switzerland, the bookies both in the UK and online are preparing to celebrate.
Spain is certainly not out of the World Cup but they have proven vulnerable.
Switzerland took the 1-0 lead at the start of the second half with a Gelson Fernandes goal in the 52nd minute. Spain and Switzerland were the last two teams to play in the tournament.
Spain must be able to beat Honduras and Chile to move into the next round. No team has won the World Cup after losing the opening match.
Bookmakers in the UK acknowledged early that British players were betting more heavily on the European champions and favorites Spain over their own England team. Spain was getting the most betting action across the globe.
Switzerland took the 1-0 lead at the start of the second half with a Gelson Fernandes goal in the 52nd minute. Spain and Switzerland were the last two teams to play in the tournament.
Spain must be able to beat Honduras and Chile to move into the next round. No team has won the World Cup after losing the opening match.
Bookmakers in the UK acknowledged early that British players were betting more heavily on the European champions and favorites Spain over their own England team. Spain was getting the most betting action across the globe.
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