In December 2021 the United Nations no less (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)) released the first ever global report on corruption in sport (you can read more and download it here
First-ever Global Report on Corruption in Sport flags urgent need for unified, international response to corrupt practices in sport
The report reveals the staggering scale, manifestation, and complexity of corruption and organized crime in sport at the global, regional, and national levels.
This is not a conspiracy theory by a guy wearing a tin foil hat and trolling from his mothers basement… this is a report developed in partnership with nearly 200 experts from across governments, sport organizations, the private sector, academia, and related stakeholders, it was described as the most in-depth review of its type to date when released.
Section one of the Executive Summary (
https://www.unodc.org/res/safeguardingsport/grcs/22-03221_SPORTS_CORRUPTION_2021_Exec_Summary.pdf) makes specific mention of competition manipulation “Competition manipulation has become a significant problem in sport. Major evolutions in sport have made it more vulnerable to this type of corruption, with the risks becoming increasingly complex.”
Drilling down, the section on illegal betting and money laundering in sport betting makes interesting reading (
https://www.unodc.org/res/safeguardingsport/grcs/9_22-03221_SPORTS_CORRUPTION_2021.pdf)
“International organizations, Governments and sports bodies are becoming increasingly aware of the scale of the problem of illegal betting and the money-laundering that it facilitates, and are taking action to address the issue and minimize the risks related to the activity”
The average amount wagered on NRL games each round in 2024 has been substantial, with industry estimates indicating that around $60 million is bet on NRL matches per round. This figure reflects both legal and regulated betting markets in Australia, including wagers placed through various bookmakers and betting platforms.
In 2024, betting companies are estimated to be paying the NRL around $50 million annually in sponsorships and advertising. This figure includes major deals with companies like Sportsbet, which is one of the league's most prominent sponsors. The substantial revenue from these partnerships plays a critical role in the league's financial ecosystem, supporting everything from grassroots initiatives to the professional competition. This financial relationship reflects the significant influence that betting companies have in sports sponsorships, particularly in markets like Australia where sports betting is highly popular.
If Australian sport has not been targeted and/or influenced by people with evil or illegal intentions then we should count ourselves very lucky (or naïve….)
