Game Over: Exposing the Linkages Between Corruption, Serious and Organized Crime in Sport

The report features case studies and practical evidence-based recommendations to support global efforts in addressing the infiltration of organized crime groups in sport. Contributions came from 90 experts across 32 countries, alongside 13 representatives from 11 organizations. Organized crime groups exploit the low-risk, high-reward environment of sports through illicit activities like competition manipulation, illegal betting, and athlete exploitation. These activities span local to international levels and affect both amateur and professional sports. Criminal justice authorities must work closely with sports organizations, share intelligence, and build specialized skills to tackle complex issues like illegal betting and competition manipulation. More action is needed to enhance regulatory frameworks, tighten controls on high-risk areas like athlete transfers and sports betting, and improve data collection.