How Are Games Fixed and Which Markets Do They Target?

[Fortify]

Since fixing is all over the place again, I kinda have an idea already, but maybe I’m missing a few things, so I’m wondering how these things actually happen in real cases and which betting markets they usually target.

Is point spread really the easiest to mess with, or do they go for totals since even small changes can flip everything?
Some people say player props are the usual target since you only need one guy to underperform a bit.

If anyone has seen real examples or read legit reports, feel free to share.

There seems to be a flurry of these sort of questions lately and the answer is fairly obvious. If you stick to the major leagues of any sport (and maybe they would not be the ones in your country) then you should be fairly safe. Just imagine a footballer who is on millions a year playing at the highest level, they are very unlikely to want to tarnish their reputation and it's unlikely a fixer could offer them enough to make it worthwhile for either party. Once you get outside of those top leagues it starts to become the wild west - some third division player in Pakistan or the college volleyball team in Bumfuck, Alabama has much less to lose in comparison if someone offered them to rig the game for any sort of reasonable sum of money.

[jostorres]

No prove yet and nothing to substantiate it yet because match fixing is really a top secret, a top secret that very few will know about. I don't think it is just about a player. But, I have heard of that of a player where he could be told not to score, or a defender to be loose at the back or goal keeper not to be in an effort. I also believe that some can be organised with referee especially the centre referee who is in charge of the game. There have been different stories of match fixing but nothing too confirmed about it because it is a top secret.

Not always but sometimes these match fixes are caught. Once caught, the players involved have to face severe consequences and this can act as an example for other players who might think about match fixes in the future. This can even ruin the future for that player but he already will be paid quite a huge money so he will not really care about the consequences. I have seen a lot of referees fixing the matches and giving false points to the players. This has been happening since ages now and there are not really that strict measures to stop this. I wonder how many of us have already lost money on fixed matches.

[Porfirii]

Since fixing is all over the place again, I kinda have an idea already, but maybe I’m missing a few things, so I’m wondering how these things actually happen in real cases and which betting markets they usually target.

Is point spread really the easiest to mess with, or do they go for totals since even small changes can flip everything?
Some people say player props are the usual target since you only need one guy to underperform a bit.

If anyone has seen real examples or read legit reports, feel free to share.

We have already talked about this topic many times, but you're asking to share real cases and I like this, because we usually engage in mere speculation.

The most notorious case in my country has nothing to do with small fixes like player props, generally difficult to prove, but with bribery, sports corruption, unfair administration, and forgery, in one of the most serious cases ever seen in the UEFA: The Negreira case.

So we can think that games fixes only happen in lower leagues or in specific cases, but it may in some cases go much further.

[rachael9385]

Since fixing is all over the place again, I kinda have an idea already, but maybe I’m missing a few things, so I’m wondering how these things actually happen in real cases and which betting markets they usually target.

Is point spread really the easiest to mess with, or do they go for totals since even small changes can flip everything?
Some people say player props are the usual target since you only need one guy to underperform a bit.

If anyone has seen real examples or read legit reports, feel free to share.

Every option is easy to mess with if they really intend to fix a match bit whay they do is to look for game that has a pick that 90 percent of bettors have gone with and then they alter the outcome of the game, i think match fixing happens once in a while and when it does they make loads of profit from it. This is why it's wise to bet against the public sometimes, don't go always pick an option everyone is betting on

[AbuBhakar]

The market can be affected by fixed games, but from recent complaints, the total, exact score, and point spread are the most affected.
The moneyline is the most difficult to target because both teams have to be in total agreement to achieve that, and it is more noticeable. Team that are involved in targeting the moneyline needs to be very careful.

It depends on sports you are betting but on some sports like e-sports or individual sports money line is very easy to fixed match since they rely only on their own game. They can perform poor to intentionally lose the match since this poor performance can always happened even the greatest player.

It’s hard to do it on team sports except on e-sports since not all the team members is willing to sacrifice their career just to throw the game.

But all bet type is easy to be subjected to match fixing if player will be willing to do this.

[Obim34]

Is point spread really the easiest to mess with, or do they go for totals since even small changes can flip everything?
Some people say player props are the usual target since you only need one guy to underperform a bit.

They can't work well with point spread just like @Cointxz made mention, it will demand many resources to use a full squad, specific players are efficient when carrying out the plan.

Another appealing market is using Yellow Card or Red Card offenses, it is much easier for a specific player to purposely get a red card without suspicion, just by creating a rough scene during the fixture. Fixed matches are always simple depending on how the orchestrators wants it to happen and value of the odds at risk.

[Agbamoni]

It depends on sports you are betting but on some sports like e-sports or individual sports money line is very easy to fixed match since they rely only on their own game. They can perform poor to intentionally lose the match since this poor performance can always happened even the greatest player.

Ah, yes, I forgot to look at this from that angle. It truly depends on the type of sport.
I may not know how the prediction market is for all sports, but I was referring to football specifically when I made my comment.
It may vary in the NBA, Hockey, Rugby, or the e-sports you mention.

[Perfectbaby]

I'm pretty sure it was always there and didn't leave. Yes If I am not mistaken the easiest way to do it is through player props, sometimes the player itself take advantage of it. He/she will tell a family member or friends that he will limit his rebounds or score (just an example) to certain number and the friend/family member will place bet on that, not only he's the only one who will know about it which avoids suspicion but it's the easiest way to take advantage, unlike the spread I think the whole team should know about it to avoid conflict. Also there are some gossips or unsupported claims that sometimes people (Maybe mafia or idk) paid referees to manipulate the game, for instance drawing more foul to other team so they could have more free throws, etc. but we don't know.

Match fixing is when what would be the match result would have been discussed before the match will be played. This is not the only manipulation in sport. There are manipulations in a way that the match will not be fixed but a player will decide to intentionally do something just to make sure that he won a bet. The two are different.

I think for a single play is much more common than involving the team as it could be leaked but when a single player tells their relatives or friends that are trusted to on a particular game, that would depends on the players position in the field as and on the process he could lose a goal  and people wouldn't suspect him but when it comes about team, and all teams keeps playing particular game or changes in their body movement you would see the other opponent or referee and rest viewers could starts sensing some silly play in the game where it could caused issues or even becoming that leaked.

[danherbias07]

I believe player props are mostly the target. If they cannot get the whole league to deal with them, then they will try the players. Plus, it can remain a secret forever since players won't tell a soul, or else it will be the ruin of their career.

Just recently, there was one player who was allegedly doing it. Stat padding and telling a friend how many he will do or not, and he will also be the one placing the bet, so there will be a connection with the player. I believe they are caught by a government agency, and I don't know if the proofs are in the phone or the computer of a friend. That's cheating and fixing, and he will probably be banned forever in the league.

[Darker45]

It depends on the sport, of course. Also, I think there isn't a single formula or even target when it comes to game fixing. The fixers may target a certain spread. They may target victory or loss. Furthermore, they may involve the star player, some of the players, the entire team, the coach, the referee, or others.

As far as news of actual fixed games are concerned, I read of a local basketball team. The target was to lose. If I'm not mistaken, both winning and losing teams including the officials were banned. My neighbor was also involved in e-sport game fixing, but only some of them in the team and the coaching staff were banned.

So, it's a case-to-case basis.

[Mindyspace]

I saw some news reports that some players were accepting money to commit fouls on purpose. And, honestly, it makes sense to imagine that match-fixers prefer this type of bet because it involves fewer people and fewer specific situations. Committing a foul is much simpler than trying to fix a goal, which requires the participation of several people and a much higher cost to organize everything. Therefore, it's very likely that individual markets are the most affected by this type of scheme.

[AakZaki]

(...)

Just recently, there was one player who was allegedly doing it. Stat padding and telling a friend how many he will do or not, and he will also be the one placing the bet, so there will be a connection with the player. I believe they are caught by a government agency, and I don't know if the proofs are in the phone or the computer of a friend. That's cheating and fixing, and he will probably be banned forever in the league.

This type of manipulation is usually difficult to detect. Players involved will certainly not report it to anyone because it could jeopardize their careers.
This makes monitoring and providing evidence difficult, especially when the evidence is only found on a computer or mobile phone.
However if proven, it would be a major problem, potentially leading to a lifetime ban, a hefty fine or even criminal charges.

Even so, I believe betting regulatory bodies or sports bodies have robust investigative procedures that can gather evidence such as digital communications, financial transactions or even unusual betting patterns.

[bhadz]

I saw some news reports that some players were accepting money to commit fouls on purpose. And, honestly, it makes sense to imagine that match-fixers prefer this type of bet because it involves fewer people and fewer specific situations. Committing a foul is much simpler than trying to fix a goal, which requires the participation of several people and a much higher cost to organize everything. Therefore, it's very likely that individual markets are the most affected by this type of scheme.

To be honest, these kinds of bribed or fixed matches are hard to spot on. They're not kids that they will easily be figured because there are some bets on the side. What people think about these fixed matches are not as exact as what we're thinking. If we can see those odd fouls for example in basketball, it's in the referee's call and not with the players. Flopping is already an offense and could be called by a referee if this is with that sport. And if you're betting with a fixed match, you'll have hard time thinking of going with the prop.

[allthebitandbobs]

There are a lot of games where the game is fixed but I personally can vouch for a cricket game when I sensed was fixed. The players were paid well to loose and they played so well at the initial stage but when it came to the end, they started dropping catches or giving room for other team to win. I did not really think that time if that game was fixed but later I got to know on various news channels that it was a fixed game and people made millions because they were tipped about the game.

This did not only break the sportsmanship but also made a lot of people loose millions and millions just because they believed in that game. These kind of fixed games really rig the system and make people have less faith in sports betting.

[sleepfirefly]

Since fixing is all over the place again, I kinda have an idea already, but maybe I’m missing a few things, so I’m wondering how these things actually happen in real cases and which betting markets they usually target.

Is point spread really the easiest to mess with, or do they go for totals since even small changes can flip everything?
Some people say player props are the usual target since you only need one guy to underperform a bit.

If anyone has seen real examples or read legit reports, feel free to share.

seems like to me player props really are the most common especially with team sports unless the entire team is on it then how can they really manipulate the game into what they hope to do

to me it seems like individual sports are easier to fix like boxing it has been very common that rich people pay boxers to "lose" to their opponent and since he only has to act alone this is very easy and probably doesn't raise much suspicions

[Cityhunter34]

I don't really think that game fixing targets any particular market, the fact that you can not even know when they are going to fix a game makes it possible for them to take advantage of that opportunity. They fix game so that a particular team can win against their opponent, for example, if team A is strong enough to win against team B, they can fix it so that team B is going to win. You can not know what's going on unless they are exposed.

Yes, they don't target any particular market because we don't usually know when this things are being done. Most times, it is when the match would end that you would be wondering how come the strong team loses to a small team. That is just the simple truth about it because it is a big secret that they can never expose to their gamblers. That is why we don't usually know until the match is over.

[maydna]

That is not easy to spot in the fixing. We don't know how they choose the sports so it could be any sports they think they can profit from. Perhaps that could be a small league that falls short of our expectations but that is what happens there. We can guess if we see something impossible to happen but that really happens. We may easily suspect something but we really don't know for sure.

[Sammye3]

In some cases, players, referee or even the bookmakers for big stake bettors. Players can be paid a certain amount of money to make mistakes that could cost the team and aligning with the scores required.

This has being seen in some situation where a very good player can begin to play out of performance and display badly. It is often seen in smaller leagues that are easier to influence without any significant effects.

If any market is targeted, it would be one that is easy to attain, like betting on low visibility leagues, bookings, throw-ins and the rest which is achievable by players or referees.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

Every option is easy to mess with if they really intend to fix a match bit whay they do is to look for game that has a pick that 90 percent of bettors have gone with and then they alter the outcome of the game, i think match fixing happens once in a while and when it does they make loads of profit from it. This is why it's wise to bet against the public sometimes, don't go always pick an option everyone is betting on

You are right mate, if they actually mean fix a game and they work together with both team, they can achieve what they want. I was reading an old news about how 1xbet were involved in fixing about 500+ games, and with how they do it, they will definitely rig in the best possible way that they know will affect a whole lot of bettor. Like you said, that's why it's better to bet against the public or the opposite way of people's possible prediction.

[7juju]

I don't really think that game fixing targets any particular market, the fact that you can not even know when they are going to fix a game makes it possible for them to take advantage of that opportunity. They fix game so that a particular team can win against their opponent, for example, if team A is strong enough to win against team B, they can fix it so that team B is going to win. You can not know what's going on unless they are exposed.

The main target in match fixing is usually the draw market from what I have experienced. When it comes to winning I don't think there is any fixing there. But you see draws that's were the main fixing is happening that's why you see all these weekend pools promoters saying they have fixed draws and the old men in our communities will be busy forecasting and buying papers to know that line that the promoters are going. Draws are the main target especially in the top tier leagues in the UK.