The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has revealed that Europe continued to account for the largest number of betting alerts during the second quarter of the year. 

As detailed in its Q2 update into betting integrity trends, the group revealed that of the 88 alerts reported to sports authorities during the time period, 52% (46) originated from Europe.

The continent was followed by Asia at 20% (18 alerts), North America at 15% (13 alerts), whilst just five and two alerts were reported from African and South American betting markets respectively. 

This marks an increase on the 42 suspicious cases reported during the first quarter, although Europe and Asia were also the first and second most prevalent markets – accounting for 55% and 24% of all alerts. 

During Q2, of particular significance for the IBIA was the newly regulated Ontario market, described as the ‘principal focus of regulatory interest’ during the quarter, following the launch of the regulated sector in April.

The IBIA has secured its standing as an independent integrity monitor for the provincial regulator, the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), as the market’s gross betting turnover is predicted to increase by 600% to CAN $8bn in 2023. 

Meanwhile, examining sporting trends, football was the sport which accounted for the single largest number of alerts at 32, displacing tennis, which was the source of 42 suspicious cases during Q1.

Tennis still followed football, however, with 27 alerts, of which 12 were reported to the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA) as intelligence reports due to the fixtures not relating to events sanctioned by the major tennis tours. 

After football and tennis, horse racing 29 alerts were recorded across six other sports – horse racing (12), table tennis (eight), esports (four), basketball (three) handball (one) and greyhound racing (one). 

Comparing geography and sports, football was the dominant source of betting alerts across Europe, Africa and Asia at 12, 15 and four each, whilst tying with tennis in South America. 

North America was the only other outlier, where 10 reports came from horse racing and three from tennis.