Earlier today Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was handed a suspended two-month ban and fined £20,000 by the English Football Association for breaching betting rules. This ban is in addition to a 10-month suspension he is currently serving, imposed by the Italian Football Federation for similar offences.

The story ofin a world where talent and skill are celebrated, gives a glimpse into the personal battles that players often face off the pitch. An Italian international and former Milan midfielder, Tonali’s career has been marred by a that has led to multiple suspensions.

Tonali’s journey into the abyss of gambling began during his tenure at Newcastle United. The English Football Association (FA) accused him of placing between 40 and 50 bets on football matches, including four on his own team’s results. It was confirmed that he participated in three of the four matches he wagered on. Interestingly, the bets were always placed in favor of his team, which resulted in a less severe punishment than if he had bet on a draw or a loss.

The FA imposed a fine of £20,000 on Tonali and revealed that the total amount wagered was well over €100,000 (approximately £85,600). However, this is not the first time Tonali has faced disciplinary action for his gambling activities. Prior to his stint at Newcastle United, he was serving a 10-month ban in Italy for breaching betting rules.

Despite these setbacks, Tonali has shown a commitment to overcoming his addiction. He has sought treatment and counselling, a process that continued even after his transfer from Milan to Newcastle United in the summer of 2023. This proactive approach towards recovery is commendable and serves as a beacon of hope for other players battling similar issues.

However, the consequences of his actions extend beyond personal repercussions. Tonali’s case has shed light on the pervasive issue of gambling in football. The Italian authorities have been particularly stringent in their crackdown on this issue. Tonali was initially handed an 18-month ban in Italy, with eight months commuted to a “treatment plan” to combat his addiction.

The two-month ban imposed by the FA is a suspended sentence, meaning it will not be added to his current ban. It will only be triggered if he violates the betting rules again. This approach reflects the seriousness with which theootballing authorities view such transgressions and their commitment to preserving the integrity of the sport.

Sandro Tonali’s story is one of personal struggles that lurks behind the glamour of professional football. Initiatives for mental health support in the sport are needed to combat the issue of gambling. As Tonali continues his journey towards recovery, his story will undoubtedly be a cautionary measure for others in the sport.

Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) have joined forces to present a monumental heavyweight boxing extravaganza featuring Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (9-1, 6 KO), known as the Problem Child, facing off against the legendary Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs), famously dubbed the Baddest Man on the Planet. This epic showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, who has not been in a sanctioned fight since 2005, will be broadcast live on Netflix on July 20, directly from the iconic AT&T Stadium located in Arlington, Texas, the renowned home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The match has received the official sanction from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This crucial decision ensures that the fight will maintain integrity through the oversight of independent judges and rigorous testing protocols for both competitors before they step into the ring.

Securing approval from the TDLR is highly significant for the fight, allowing bookmakers and sportsbooks to offer bets on the outcome through regulated U.S. sportsbooks. The involvement of a reputable regulatory body like TDLR eliminates concerns about the fight's legitimacy and ensures a fair and unbiased competition.

Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with TDLR to meet the necessary requirements for sanctioning the Paul vs. Tyson bout. The fight will adhere to strict guidelines, with the boxers committing to using 14-ounce gloves and competing in eight rounds, each lasting two minutes instead of the usual three minutes, ensuring a decisive outcome even without a knockout.

Despite concerns about Tyson's age—he will be 58 years old at the time of the fight—and his long hiatus from professionally sanctioned matches, the regulatory oversight provided by Texas authorities aims to instill confidence in the event's fairness and competitiveness. With the support of the TDLR, fans and can look forward to a regulated and thrilling showdown between two vastly different but compelling boxing personalities.

Next SiGMA Event: Join us in Manila from the 2 – 5 June for SiGMA Asia. Find all the details .

In 2023, Japan's regulated nearly reached JPY8 trillion (€47.6 billion), representing a modest increase of 0.3 percent compared to the previous year. While this growth rate marked the lowest in a decade, it still amounted to the highest betting handle Japan has witnessed during this period. 

According to a report by Gaming Intelligence, the total horse racing wagering accounted for the lion's share, reaching JPY4.35 trillion (€25.9 billion) and comprising 54 percent of Japan's overall betting activity. This marks the third consecutive year that racing wagers have surpassed the JPY4 trillion (€43.8 billion) mark. Despite a surge in attendance at Japan Racing Association (JRA) racecourses, with a notable 66 percent increase to 4.6 million attendees, a staggering 98 percent of wagering occurred off-course. 

Betting on motorboat races saw a slight decline of 2 percent from 2022, totalling JPY2.39 trillion (€14.2 billion) across 4,618 race days. Conversely, cycling races experienced a 5 percent increase in handle, reaching JPY1.15 trillion (€6.8 billion) from 2,725 race days. Motorcycling races, although the smallest sector in terms of wagering, witnessed a marginal uptick of 0.6 percent, amounting to JPY108 million (€643.1 million) in bets. 

Despite the modest growth rate, Japan's record-breaking sports wagering in 2023 signifies the nation's sustained interest in regulated betting activities. The enduring popularity of horse racing, coupled with the steady performance of other sporting events, underscores the diverse preferences within Japan's betting landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders will closely monitor trends and adapt strategies to capitalize on emerging opportunities. 

Meanwhile, earlier this year, Japan began constructing its  project, marking the country's inaugural venture into the realm of casinos. The commencement of this project followed the Japanese government's approval of a revised implementation agreement, symbolizing a significant shift in the nation's approach to gaming regulation. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

Adam Cole, the co-founder of the now-defunct Football Index, is back in the spotlight with a new venture, KiX, a footballer trading platform bearing striking resemblances to its predecessor. The collapse of Football Index in 2021 led to users losing an estimated £90 million in virtual averaging losses of about £3,000 per customer, with many losing significantly more.

Cole, (pictured above), who served as the former CEO of Football Index, co-founded the company with Mike Bohan. Despite his silence on social media since a May 2021 statement expressing his devastation over the company’s downfall, Cole has resurfaced as an investor and advisor to KiX. This has been met with disappointment from the victims of Football Index, with campaigner David Hammel describing it as a “real kick in the teeth.”

KiX, like Football Index, allows users to trade in footballers, earning rewards based on their performance. However, KiX operates on a different model and structure, trading footballers in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and using cryptocurrency. While some see this as an exciting and innovative use of technology, others view it as a risky vehicle for financial speculation.

The KiX platform acknowledges the similarities with Football Index but insists it is a completely new platform. Despite Cole’s involvement, a KiX spokesman confirmed that he does not have executive input at the operational or board level. The spokesman also clarified that Cole is not an employee or a shareholder and draws no salary from KiX.

The story of Football Index and KiX serves as a cautionary tale in the world of virtual trading platforms. As the saga continues to unfold, the victims of Football Index are left to grapple with the consequences of their lost investments, while the world watches to see if KiX will follow in its predecessor’s footsteps or chart a new path in the world of football trading.

The downfall of Football Index, a once-promising virtual trading platform, was a complex event triggered by a series of missteps and oversights. BetIndex, the company behind Football Index, misrepresented the nature of their product in their , and failed to report necessary changes to their product. This lack of transparency was compounded by the Gambling Commission’s own lack of regulatory oversight, which failed to scrutinize BetIndex’s product and language thoroughly.

Financial mismanagement played a significant role in the platform’s collapse. Just days before its downfall, Football Index was found to be “minting” and selling new “shares”, a move that raised serious questions about the company’s financial practices. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), too, came under fire for its handling of the case. Criticized for its slow response to requests from the Gambling Commission and inconsistency in messaging on regulatory responsibilities, the FCA’s failure further contributed to the platform’s demise.

At its core, Football Index was a high-risk trading platform, allowing users to trade in derivatives that led to significant financial losses. The platform’s collapse in 2021 resulted in users losing an estimated £90 million in virtual footballer shares. The aftermath of this catastrophic event continues to reverberate, with many former users still feeling the trauma of their lost investments and the impact it has left on their lives.

As the IOC invests in technology to maintain the integrity of competitions and prevent manipulation, we explore the sports betting landscape during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Speaking on a at the second day of the BIS SiGMA Americas conference were Mr. Felipe Marchetti, representing Sportradar, Tiago Horta Barbosa from Genius Sports, Luiz Gustavo Zonca from Rei do Pitaco, and Mr. Roberto Armelin, Executive Director of ESG Risk Compliance at São Paulo Football Club.

The conversation explored the multifaceted challenges and potential solutions in ensuring the integrity of sports competitions.

Mr. Felipe Marchetti emphasised the paramount importance of transparency and responsibility in their integrity efforts. He affirmed that their comprehensive 4 pillar methodology had uncovered no indications of match manipulation during the Brazilian Championship 2023, citing robust fraud detection systems and collaborative partnerships with sports federations and media outlets.

“When we work with integrity, we have to focus on two main points. The first one is transparency, and the second one is responsibility. responsibility both with the professionals, athletes, coaches, managers, as well as with the industry.”

As the discussion unfolded, the focus shifted to the critical role of education in fostering integrity awareness among athletes and stakeholders. Tiago, representing Genius Sports, underscored the necessity of a holistic approach, highlighting initiatives such as São Paulo Football Club's integrity and the Tricolor program as examples of proactive education and awareness campaigns within sports organisations.

The conversation expanded to encompass the broader sports landscape, acknowledging the prevalence of integrity issues beyond football. Tennis emerged as a notable example of proactive integrity measures, with the establishment of the International Tennis Integrity Agency setting a standard for other sports to emulate. However, challenges persist, particularly in resource-constrained sports like table tennis, where effective integrity frameworks are still being developed.

The discussion also broached the topic of punishment for integrity breaches, acknowledging the complexities inherent in imposing sanctions. While recognizing the need for deterrent measures, panellists stressed the importance of fair and proportionate enforcement mechanisms, underlining the vital role of education, monitoring, and collaboration in upholding the integrity of Brazilian sports.

“I think that education is the most important element of the treatment of this whole system that we are talking about here. Match fixing is the disease, the irregularity, the infraction of the law, the principles, of the treatment of this whole system that we are talking about here,” commented Mr. Roberto Armelin.

In conclusion, the panellists emphasised the imperative of collective action and ongoing investment in integrity initiatives to safeguard the values of fair play and sportsmanship. Through education, vigilant monitoring, and appropriate sanctions, the sports community can mitigate the risks posed by integrity threats and cultivate a culture of integrity and transparency in Brazilian sports. As the conversation concluded, it became evident that the journey toward integrity in sports is a collaborative endeavour, requiring sustained commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders involved.

Kambi, in Q1 2024, reported a revenue of €43.2 million, a slight 2 percent decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. The majority of this revenue, approximately 90 percent, was generated from sportsbook operations, with the remaining portion attributed to modularised odds feeds.

Despite the slight dip in revenue, Kambi’s EBITDA increased by 10 percent year-on-year, reaching €14 million. The operating profit for the quarter was €4.4 million, a 2 percent decrease from the previous year, with a margin of 10.2 percent. The earnings per share for the quarter were €0.107, and the board proposed no dividend payout.

Kambi’s operator turnover index, a measure of its clients’ quarterly turnover, decreased by 16.3 percent compared to Q1 2023. This was primarily due to the migration of Penn’s online business in July 2023. However, excluding Penn’s online contribution in Q1 2023, turnover increased by 3 percent across the global network and by 9 percent in the Americas. The operator trading margin in Q1 was 9 percent, driven by favourable basketball results, compared to 8.2 percent in the same period last year.

In Q1, Kambi extended its retail sportsbook partnership with Penn until 31 December 2025, replacing the previous agreement set to end in July 2024. Kambi also partnered with Inspired Entertainment, a provider of virtual sports products, to integrate the company’s offering into its sportsbook platform. This is in line with and deliver for partners through third-party services.

Kambi CEO Kristian Nylén, (pictured above) who announced his intention to step down once a successor is appointed, expressed satisfaction with the Q1 results. He highlighted the successful launch of LiveScore Group’s Kambi-powered sportsbook in Nigeria and the Netherlands. Looking ahead, Nylén anticipates further launches, particularly in the UK, in preparation for upcoming sporting events like Euro 2024 and Copa América.

Nylén mentioned that Kambi has made good progress in opening up its platform to provide greater flexibility and choice for partners. An initial step in this process was integrating external content into the Kambi platform to meet product requirements for certain partner signings in 2023. In Q1, Kambi added Inspired Entertainment’s virtual sports games to the platform, creating an additional revenue stream. More recently, the firm integrated racing provider BetMakers, enhancing Kambi’s horse and greyhound racing products.

As part of the ongoing modularisation strategy,n Tzeract’s first commercial agreement with operator kwiff. This will enable Kambi to provide modular odds feeds via a single API integration, granting operators access to Kambi’s full library of sports odds.

Although Nylén suggested Kambi had “built solid foundations for the future”, the company expects 2024 to be a “transitional year.” The supplier said revenue will be impacted by Penn’s online migration, recently renewed contracts with Kindred and several other partners. Kambi is also reviewing its 2027 financial targets due to a slowdown in sports betting regulation. Despite these challenges, Kambi remains optimistic about its future prospects.

Even though 888 Holdings, a listed online betting-and-gaming company surpassed 2024 revenue expectations, according to its announced last week, the company may still need to implement changes to achieve growth by year end.

The Q1 report states the revenue during this period amounted to £431 million, down 3.2% on-year but ahead of the £420 -£430 million it had predicted; while 888 sportsbook stakes were down 5%, from £1.43 billion ($1.78 billion) to £1.35 billion.

Increasing the sports betting promotions could be part of the new development strategy. A number of competitors offer daily tournaments, other free-to-play offers, and cash prizes, which 888sport currently does not offer as many. At the moment, 888sport offers six sports betting promotions, while its competitor Ladbrokes has 19, and Paddy Power offers 10.

Online sports betting stakes in the UK and Ireland dropped by 9% to £630.6 million, and sportsbook retail operations fell 4% to £393.5 million during Q1. It appears that more customer promotions could improve customer retention, market sources say.

The acquisition of William Hill did not improve 888 retail numbers. Despite it being an iconic brand with 1,400 William Hill betting shops across the UK, 888 retail numbers were still 4% down to £393.5 million in Q1. William Hill has great promotions, but these don’t make their way over to 888sport, outsiders commented.

Other high street brands, such as Ladbrokes and Coral have also been facing challenges as retail sports betting has slowed down, while online betting is growing. Online casinos have increased a lot in 2024, and the choice of online casinos is overwhelming. To grow revenues, profits, 888 also hopes to enhance its branding and “One Company” approach with the name change. The new name - Evoke is yet to be voted on by the shareholders at the company AGM scheduled for 13 May 2024. Per Widerstrom, the CEO of the group, has led the name change as part of a broader strategic transformation to prioritise the core markets and to reset its operating model with a focus on automation and AI, and to cut costs by removing duplication.
With focus being on core markets in Europe include Denmark, Spain, Italy and the UK, will the re-brand and new strategy be enough to get back its £4.48 share price from 2021?

's state-owned horse race betting operator, Norsk Rikstoto, reported a 4 percent decrease in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for the year 2023. Despite this decline, the operator managed to contribute NOK516 million (€44.0 million) to Norwegian equestrian sport.  

Turnover from racing products experienced a similar 4 percent decrease, amounting to NOK3.14 billion (€268.8 million). Notably, NOK1.75 billion (€149.8 million) was generated from betting on foreign horse races, highlighting the diverse nature of Norsk Rikstoto's offerings.  

After paying out NOK2.19 billion (187.5 million) in winnings to players, Norsk Rikstoto's GGR stood at NOK952.2 million (€81.5 million), reflecting the overall decline compared to the previous year. Despite this, the operator's net operating income surpassed NOK1.0 billion (€85.6 million), albeit still down by 4 percent year-on-year.  

Norsk Rikstoto emphasized its commitment to responsible gambling and operational efficiency under 's new gambling law. The operator reduced total operating expenses by 6 percent, focusing on cost optimization while maintaining a solid foundation for its operations.  

Despite the revenue decline, Norsk Rikstoto continued its significant contributions to equestrian sport in Norway. The operator paid NOK515.8 million (€44.1 million) to good causes in the sector, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the community and creating positive societal impact.  

In a Gaming Intelligence report, Norsk Rikstoto's managing director, Camilla Garmann, was quoted highlighting the importance of equestrian sport in Norwegian society, emphasizing its role in inclusion, health, and job creation. The operator remains dedicated to supporting equestrian activities and distributing profits to various stakeholders within the industry.  

While facing a revenue decline in 2023, Norsk Rikstoto maintains its focus on responsible gambling, operational efficiency, and supporting Norwegian equestrian sport. Despite challenges, the operator continues to play a vital role in contributing to the welfare of the community and promoting the sport of horse racing in the country.  

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 3 – 5 June. Find all the details .

The National Football League (NFL) has reinstated Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr., following a suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy. Rodgers, who missed the entire 2023 season due to the suspension, is now expected to compete for significant playing time in the upcoming 2024 season.

Rodgers was suspended in June 2023 for placing bets on NFL games through an online sportsbook. The 26-year-old player, who joined the Eagles two months after his suspension, claimed that the bets made from the sportsbook account registered in his name were on behalf of friends and family in Florida. At that time, online betting was not authorized in Florida until December 2023.

The NFL’s gambling policy strictly prohibits all forms of wagering on league games and within team facilities. Despite this, Rodgers placed over 100 bets for others, with the average bet amount ranging between $25 and $50. Notably, Rodgers, a sixth-round pick from UMass, also placed a $1,000 bet on the over/under rushing yards for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.

Rodgers’ career stats include 90 combined tackles and three interceptions in 45 games. His reinstatement comes as part of a larger wave of reinstatements by the NFL, which also lifted the suspensions of five other players earlier this week. These players, all free agents entering the upcoming season, include defensive end Shaka Toney, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, defensive end Rashod Berry, safety C.J. Moore, and defensive end Demetrius Taylor.

Both Berry and Rodgers were members of the Colts when they were suspended in 2023. Another player, Denver Broncos defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike, who was suspended for allegedly wagering on league games in 2022, can petition for reinstatement in July.

The of the sport. However, the recent wave of suspensions and reinstatements highlights the challenges the league faces in navigating the complex landscape of sports betting.

There have been several notable cases of NFL player suspensions in recent years. Here are a few:

• Jameson Williams: A wide receiver for the Lions, Williams was suspended for six games for betting on college football games while at the Lions’ practice facility.
• Stanley Berryhill: Also a wide receiver for the Lions, Berryhill was suspended for six games for betting on college games inside Detroit’s practice facility.
• Derrius Guice: In 2021, this running back was suspended for six games due to domestic violence.
• Antonio Brown: In 2020, this wide receiver was suspended for eight games due to multiple violations of the personal conduct policy.
• Kareem Hunt: In 2019, this Cleveland running back was suspended for eight games following an assault that was caught on video.

These cases highlight the NFL’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport and enforcing its policies on personal conduct and gambling.

In a report in today, it was revealed that sports gambling in the United States is not only addictive but also under-regulated, and far from progressive. The recent lifetime ban of, a centre for the Toronto Raptors, for violating betting rules is a stark reminder of the growing issue.

On Wednesday, the NBA announced that Porter was banned from the league for life. An investigation found that he disclosed confidential information to gamblers, exited a match early to influence an “over/under” wager on his stat line, and bet on games using a friend’s account. While Porter’s actions are serious and should not be trivialized, they are merely a symptom of a much larger problem.

The report in The Guardian states that sports are an integral part of our culture, and fair competition and the integrity of results are essential to it. However, the real threat to sports and the livelihoods of billions of fans lies with the leagues, special interests, and media outlets integrating addictive gambling with the games we love. The profit-seeking corporate encouragement of before an emerging public health crisis gets even worse.

In the 2010s, the Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, and the state of New Jersey challenged the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (Paspa), which prohibited new state-sanctioned sports gambling. Legal books were limited to a few grandfathered states, like Nevada. At the time, the scope of illegal sports gambling was unclear, with some putting the number at $50 billion.

The US Supreme Court took on the case in 2018, ruling that Paspa was unconstitutional. Today, 38 states and the District of Columbia have made sports betting legal, with legislation pending in other areas. The dream of figures like the NBA’s Adam Silver, who immediately after becoming commissioner in 2014 published a New York Times op-ed advocating legalization, was fulfilled.

The report in today's Guardian newspaper also sites early results have made billions for gambling companies, television networks, state governments, and players and owners alike. It’s been a nightmare, however, for millions of ordinary people.

The author of the report shared their personal experience with sports betting which evolved significantly over time.

 In their high school years, the process involved studying the Vegas lines in the Daily News and placing small bets with a local bookie. By the time they reached college, it had become a more complex process that involved navigating to an offshore gambling site, possibly converting some money to bitcoin, and placing a wager before the start of a match.

Today, the landscape of sports betting has been radically transformed by technology. Bets can now be seamlessly placed on smartphones, which have become an integral part of our lives. The betting process is no longer confined to the period before games; bets can now be placed on the outcome of every play, with AI models generating odds in real time.

Sports betting apps have become sophisticated data collectors, storing dozens of data points on every customer. They know what customers like to bet on, when to send them push notifications, and what offers can draw them back in if they haven’t gambled in a while. Like any drug, gambling activates the brain’s reward system. However, unlike most street-level dopamine-peddlers, these apps have access to the power of big data, enabling them to tailor their strategies to individual users. This highlights the need for stringent regulations to protect individuals from the potential harms of this increasingly pervasive industry.

Legalization does not just bring black markets into the light of day – it serves to radically expand markets. Nor do they have marketing departments. If you’ve watched a sports game, there’s no doubt you’ve seen advertisements from FanDuel, Draft Kings, BetMGM or any number of legal sportsbooks. They feature celebrities and athletes – people like Kevin Garnett, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Patton Oswalt and the entire Manning football dynasty – encouraging you to sign up and risk your wages. Podcasts at media networks like the Ringer are dedicated entirely to betting. ESPN, owned by the conservative Disney corporation, has even gone to the extreme of hosting its own sportsbook, ESPN BET.

The efforts are paying off. Last year, Americans legally wagered $120 billion on sports, up 27.5 percent compared with 2022. And billions more are probably still bet illegally. This sharp increase is a reminder that the unchecked rise of sports gambling in the US is a looming crisis that needs immediate attention. The time for action is now. We must ensure that the integrity of sports and the well-being of fans are not compromised by the unchecked rise of sports gambling.