IBIA launches first Integrity Working Group in South America to combat match-fixing

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) convened its first Integrity Working Group in South America, which took place in São Paulo, Brazil, on 9 April 2026. The meeting brought together government authorities, sports bodies, and licensed betting operators to strengthen coordinated action against match-fixing.

With match-fixing still a major cross-border risk for betting operators and sports bodies, stakeholders discussed expanded coordination efforts during the integrity meeting.

First regional working group in South America

The meeting marked IBIA’s first Integrity Working Group in South America. Sponsored by Galerabet, the session focused on aligning stakeholders around measures to detect, prevent, and sanction betting-related corruption as Brazil’s regulated market develops.

Participants included Fábio Macorin, Undersecretary of Monitoring and Inspection at the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), and Giovanni Rocco, National Secretary of Sports Betting (Ministry of Sport).

Sports organizations such as CONMEBOL and the Paulista Football Federation also attended, alongside IBIA members licensed in Brazil.

“At Galerabet, integrity is one of our core values. We actively work to ensure a safe, transparent, and responsible betting environment,” said Marcos Sabiá, CEO of Galerabet. “That is why we invest in preventing match-fixing and believe in collaboration among operators, sports organizations, and regulators.”

“We remain firmly committed to actions that strengthen the industry’s integrity and help build a sustainable, safe, and constantly evolving betting market for everyone,” Sabiá added.

Data-sharing tools and oversight methods

Stakeholders noted that the risks linked to match-fixing affect both sporting events and regulated betting activity across jurisdictions, requiring international monitoring systems, structured data exchange, and cooperation across markets.

The program combined market analysis with operational input from both the betting sector and sports organizations. IBIA presented its monitoring framework and information-sharing processes used to identify suspicious betting patterns.

Discussions covered account-level data sharing and international alert systems designed to support oversight across competitions and jurisdictions.

“Today’s IBIA Integrity Working Group brings together regulators, sports bodies, and operators to strengthen cooperation and deliver a coordinated response to match-fixing,” said Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA.

“The Working Group reflects the growing emphasis on cross-sector collaboration in Brazil and highlights IBIA’s role in supporting regulated markets through practical and effective integrity solutions, particularly as match-fixing remains a cross-border challenge.”

Brazil’s regulatory framework requires licensed operators to be part of an integrity monitoring system. IBIA said it continues working with operators and stakeholders to support compliance through its Global MAP.

IBIA’s Global Monitoring and Alert Platform (Global MAP) tracks more than $300 billion in betting turnover annually worldwide and includes over 90 operators. Data from H2 Gambling Capital shows that IBIA members account for 90% of Brazil’s onshore federally licensed betting turnover.

The meeting follows the publication of IBIA’s Q1 integrity report and a Payment Provider Forum guide aimed at helping payment providers in Brazil address illegal sports betting activity and maintain oversight