The report titled "Breaking Barriers: Evaluating Challenges in Women's Sports, Betting, and Integrity" examined the present condition of female sports worldwide.
Presented recently at iGB L!VE, the study received support from prominent industry organizations, operators, and suppliers. This support came from esteemed entities such as the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), All-In Diversity Project (AIDP), Entain, Flutter, and Stats Perform.
The report highlighted a significant surge in women's sports globally, accompanied by a corresponding increase in betting activities. Football emerged as the frontrunner in terms of betting engagement, experiencing an annual market growth rate of approximately 20% since 2020. Following closely were tennis, basketball, and cricket, all of which witnessed growth rates of over 10% between 2017 and 2022.
Additionally, the study delved into the characteristics of female bettors. The percentage of female bettors in women's sports saw growth across football, tennis, basketball, cricket, and volleyball, with annual growth rates reaching up to 10%.
Moreover, there was a more than twofold increase in the number of women betting on female soccer. Furthermore, the total volume of bets placed on women's sports increased more significantly among women than men.
However, the amplified betting activity in these sports raised concerns about manipulation and match-fixing within women's sports. Consequently, the study put forward several recommendations to tackle these issues.
These recommendations included enhancing monitoring and cooperation among sports governing bodies, betting operators, and law enforcement agencies. The report also advised promoting fair wages and economic transparency to mitigate the risk of corruption and match-fixing.
Researchers also proposed the development of targets and customized education and communication programs for athletes, coaches, and support staff. These initiatives aimed to raise awareness about the risks of corruption and contribute to the establishment and reinforcement of integrity.
Furthermore, the report urged an increase in available data and further research and analysis on women's sports and betting. This would deepen the understanding of match-fixing dynamics in women's sports and enable the formulation of integrity approaches tailored to the specific circumstances of female sports.
IBIA Chief Executive Khalid Ali acknowledged the significant growth of women's sports and emphasized the need for enhanced responsibility in ensuring sports integrity and combatting match-fixing in women's sports. He emphasized the absence of room for complacency.
Christina Thakor-Rankin, Co-founder of AIDP, expressed the study's aim to initiate a dialogue with the betting industry concerning women's sports. Understanding the evolving landscape would enable the industry to better serve customers, operators, athletes, and safeguard the integrity of sports for all stakeholders.