Study: Offshore Bookmakers Use FIFA+ Broadcasts to Take Bets

According to the international research organization Play the Game, offshore bookmakers are using FIFA+ broadcasts — FIFA’s streaming platform offering free live matches — to accept bets on lower-tier football games worldwide.

In late October and early November 2025, researchers identified more than 100 matches streamed on FIFA+ that were simultaneously available for live betting with offshore bookmakers. The games involved competitions in the Caribbean, Africa and other regions, including Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Curaçao, Dominica, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania and the Seychelles. Most of the matches came from amateur and semi-professional leagues.

The study also notes that similar practices were observed in Europe, including matches from Italy’s Serie C.

Bets were offered not only on match outcomes but also on in-play events such as goals within specific time intervals, as well as yellow and red cards. According to sports data expert Ben Patterson, formerly of Sportradar and Genius Sports, these markets are more vulnerable to manipulation than bets on final results.

The report mentions operators 1xBet and 22Bet as offering live betting on lower-league matches.

Football federations in Aruba and the Seychelles told Play the Game that they were unaware that betting was available on their matches or that broadcasts were being used by betting websites.

Live betting on an Aruban club match on 1xBet and 22Bet with the game streamed on FIFA+

The study highlights the role of scouts who supply bookmakers with real-time match information. Due to delays in the FIFA+ video stream, operators rely on data transmitted directly from stadiums. Play the Game notes that without such systems, live betting on these matches would be technically impossible. Many leagues, however, have no agreements to sell data rights and are not aware that scouts are present at their games.

The report adds that Sportradar, Genius Sports and Stats Perform actively recruit scouts in Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania, paying €30–50 per match. Sportradar said it does not provide data to 1xBet.

Sportradar notice on data collection at a Serie C stadium

FIFA declined to comment directly on the use of FIFA+ in the betting context, stating that it cooperates with international organizations to combat match-fixing.