The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released its latest report, “Focus on Countries in the Americas and the Caribbean: Safeguarding Sport from Corruption and Organized Crime”. The document examines how illegal betting networks and organized crime are driving increasingly sophisticated and transnational match manipulation, urging governments and the regulated gambling industry to work together to protect sports integrity.
The study, part of the Global Initiative on Sport Integrity, focuses on the evolution of sports-related corruption in Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States, highlighting the urgent need to modernize legislation and strengthen cross-border collaboration between regulators, law enforcement, sports organizations and licensed betting operators.
Match-fixing and organized crime: an escalating threat
According to the report, match manipulation is no longer an isolated problem but a complex phenomenon linked to illegal betting markets and money laundering operations.
Only five countries in the region —Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the United States— have specific criminal laws addressing sports manipulation. In most other jurisdictions, legal frameworks remain incomplete or outdated, making it difficult to prosecute and sanction those involved in match-fixing schemes.
The UNODC warns that illegal online betting platforms are now a key vehicle for both recruiting vulnerable players and laundering illicit funds, as they operate outside regulatory control and lack player protection mechanisms.
Notable cases and regulatory developments
The report outlines several recent developments illustrating how the region is responding to the threat:
Brazil approved the General Sports Law in 2023, introducing penalties for match manipulation and prompting police operations such as Jogo Limpo, focused on suspicious football matches.
Mexico has launched investigations into possible fixing in women’s professional football, exposing weaknesses in current prevention systems.
Paraguay created an Integrated Information Center that enables reporting of manipulation cases and works closely with sports federations and licensed betting operators.
In the United States, collaboration between professional leagues, regulated sportsbooks and law enforcement continues to serve as a global benchmark.
Growing risks tied to major events and new markets
The UNODC warns that upcoming mega sporting events —such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Pan American Games— present increased risk due to the huge betting volumes they generate and the interest of organized criminal groups in manipulating results.
The report also highlights vulnerabilities in areas such as player transfers, sponsorship contracts and financial incentives, which can be exploited by criminal networks without sufficient oversight.
Recommendations for governments, regulators and the gambling sector
The report proposes a series of actions to counter sports manipulation and protect players:
Modernize national legislation in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption, explicitly criminalizing sports manipulation.
Establish safe and confidential reporting channels for athletes, referees and sports staff.
Strengthen international cooperation between gambling regulators, sports organizations and law enforcement agencies.
Leverage data analytics and advanced technology to detect suspicious betting patterns and unusual match outcomes.
Promote education and integrity awareness programs for athletes and sports professionals.
A key role for the regulated gambling industry
The UNODC emphasizes that a legal, well-regulated gambling market is a crucial ally in protecting sports integrity. Licensed operators can track betting activity transparently, share suspicious data with regulators, and work with sports bodies to prevent manipulation and fraud.
Without active collaboration from the regulated gambling industry, the report warns, illegal markets will continue to grow, undermining consumer confidence and increasing the risks of corruption and organized crime.
A call to action for the gaming sector
For the gambling industry, the UNODC’s findings represent a clear call to strengthen responsible gambling policies, anti-fraud systems and active cooperation with sports integrity bodies and public authorities.
Protecting the integrity of sports also means safeguarding trust in legal betting, a foundation for sustainable growth in the gaming sector.
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