Asia’s illegal betting networks challenge sports integrity monitoring
An IFHA report highlights how offshore operators, credit-based wagering and informal betting networks limit the ability to detect suspicious activity.
Key takeaways:
- H2 Gambling Capital estimated that sportsbook betting on the 2026 FIFA World Cup reached approximately US$150bn, including US$90bn through offshore channels.
- Illegal betting networks in Asia use credit-based wagering, local agents, offshore operators, cryptocurrencies and messaging apps.
- FIFA’s integrity task force reported no suspicious betting across the tournament’s 104 matches.
- The Group of Copenhagen placed 15 matches under enhanced monitoring and issued seven yellow notices for further investigation.
- The IFHA report calls for greater transparency, independent analysis of major sporting events and the inclusion of prediction markets in integrity checks.
Asia’s illegal betting markets make it hard for sports bodies to spot potential match-fixing risks, according to a new report from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The report calls for more independent analysis of major events, and the routine inclusion of prediction markets in integrity checks.
“An absence of detected suspicious activity should be interpreted within the scope of the monitoring that is conducted,” the report states.
Written by Martin Purbrick for the IFHA Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Crime, the report focuses on monitoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Post-tournament estimates from H2 Gambling Capital put total sportsbook betting on the World Cup at about US$150bn. Of that, roughly US$90bn went through offshore channels. Under the Macolin Convention, much of this offshore activity is treated as illegal betting.
In Asia, illegal networks often rely on credit-based wagering, local agent networks, offshore operators with “pseudo-licences,” crypto bookmakers and bets arranged through messaging apps, the report states. Customers may be anonymous or known only to an agent. Monitors can sometimes see published odds, but they cannot access customer accounts, betting volumes or financial flows the way they can with licensed operators.
The report points to major enforcement operations across Asia as evidence of the scale of activity outside official monitoring. In Hong Kong, police arrested 991 people during the World Cup while in Malaysia, 554 people were arrested in 422 raids. Singapore police arrested 60 people and blocked hundreds of sites and apps.
FIFA’s integrity task force said it found no suspicious betting across the tournament’s 104 matches. However, the Group of Copenhagen, a network of national integrity platforms that sat on the same task force, reported that it had placed 15 matches under enhanced monitoring and had issued seven “yellow notices” flagging possible irregularities for further checks.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How much was bet on the 2026 FIFA World Cup? H2 Gambling Capital estimated total sportsbook betting at approximately US$150bn, of which around US$90bn went through offshore channels.
- Why is illegal betting difficult to monitor in Asia? Illegal networks use credit-based wagering, local agents, offshore operators, cryptocurrencies and messaging apps. Monitors often cannot access customer accounts, betting volumes or financial flows.
- Did FIFA detect suspicious betting during the 2026 World Cup? FIFA’s integrity task force reported no suspicious betting across the tournament’s 104 matches. However, the Group of Copenhagen subsequently disclosed that 15 matches had received enhanced monitoring and seven yellow notices had been issued for further checks.
- What are yellow notices in sports integrity monitoring? Yellow notices flag possible betting irregularities that require further investigation. They are not proof of match-fixing or manipulation.
