Norway's latest survey on match-fixing has revealed that despite a growing awareness of the issue, suspected efforts to manipulate sporting events are still going largely unreported. The research, conducted in November 2025, gathered responses from people involved in various sports to measure awareness of match manipulation, reporting habits, and knowledge of integrity rules.
The survey, which interviewed people involved in basketball, football, handball, and ice hockey, found that ten respondents reported being approached about manipulating a sporting event, while another 27 said they were aware of similar incidents. However, only one in five people who encountered or knew about such incidents took action and reported them.
According to the survey, knowledge of match-manipulation regulations has only improved slightly since a similar survey in 2023. Participants rated their familiarity with the rules at an average of 2.86 out of five, indicating that there is still considerable room for improvement.
The Norwegian Lottery Authority stressed the importance of education and reporting in preventing match-fixing. Officials emphasized that people covered by the regulations are obligated to report suspected attempts and that education efforts will continue to be a priority.
The survey also highlighted the issue of inside information and how it applies to sports betting. Twenty-six respondents reported being contacted by someone seeking non-public information that could influence betting markets, while many others were unsure whether such an approach had occurred.
Officials in Norway and the Netherlands have expressed concerns about the use of inside information and its potential impact on sports integrity. In the Netherlands, four cases were identified in which professional athletes placed bets on competitions connected to their own sporting careers, creating conflicts of interest and increasing the risk of inside knowledge influencing betting activity.
Authorities in both countries argue that education remains one of the strongest safeguards against match-fixing. They emphasize the need for better understanding of reporting duties and inside-information rules as sports betting continues to expand.
