FIFA+ Livestreams Exploited by Illegal Betting Operators for Global In-Play Markets

An investigation raises fresh concerns over how official football broadcasts may be indirectly fueling unlicensed betting worldwide.

An investigation by sports governance watchdog Play the Game has revealed that illegal gambling operators are allegedly exploiting FIFA+ livestreams to power global in-play betting markets on lower-tier football competitions. While licensed platforms marketed as the best bookmaker for football operate under strict regulatory frameworks, offshore brands continue to benefit from official football content without comparable oversight.

According to the investigation, betting operators such as 1xBet and 22Bet have been rebroadcasting FIFA+ streams directly on their websites, enabling live wagering on matches from small domestic leagues that often lack robust governance structures. The findings raise difficult questions for FIFA, data providers, and regulators about how official football content may be feeding betting ecosystems beyond national control.

Lower-League Matches Turned Into Live Betting Products

Between late October and early November 2025, journalists documented more than 100 lower-league matches from domestic competitions in Aruba, Curaçao, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, and Seychelles being offered for live betting via rebroadcasts on betting platforms. The matches were originally streamed on FIFA+, FIFA’s digital service designed to expand global access to football.

Crucially, the football federations in all six countries told investigators they were unaware that their matches were being rebroadcast for betting purposes. Several federations stated that they had never authorized commercial betting on their competitions, raising concerns about consent and intellectual property rights.

It remains unclear whether operators accessed the FIFA+ streams with FIFA’s permission, via intermediaries, or through unauthorized means. FIFA+ broadcasts are delayed by more than 10 seconds, which complicates their direct use for in-play betting but does not eliminate their value when combined with live data feeds.

Live Data Scouts Bridge Delay Gap

To compensate for broadcast delays, sports data providers such as Sportradar, Genius Sports, and Stats Perform rely on local scouts positioned inside stadiums. These scouts collect match statistics in real time and transmit them directly to betting operators, allowing live odds to function independently of video streams.

According to the investigation, scouts are typically paid €30–50 per match. While data companies primarily service licensed bookmakers, their data can also reach offshore and unlicensed operators, especially in regions with weaker regulatory enforcement. Sportradar’s dual role as a significant data provider and official FIFA partner has drawn particular scrutiny in the context of the investigation.

The findings illustrate how live data—not video alone—has become the backbone of global in-play betting markets, even for obscure competitions.

FIFA Declines to Clarify Broadcast Access

When questioned about how betting operators accessed FIFA+ broadcasts, FIFA declined to provide specific answers. The governing body stated that it works closely with Interpol and relevant UN agencies to combat match-fixing and betting-related corruption.

Critics argue that the response sidesteps the central issue: whether FIFA’s own broadcast infrastructure is being used—intentionally or not—to support illegal gambling markets. The lack of transparency has intensified calls for clearer rules governing broadcast distribution, data licensing, and downstream commercial usage.

Integrity Risks in Football’s Blind Spots

Governance experts warn that lower-league football is especially vulnerable to betting-related exploitation due to modest wages, limited monitoring, and global demand for live betting content. The investigation suggests that while FIFA+ was launched to democratize access to football, it may also be unintentionally enabling a shadow betting economy.

Without tighter controls over how official content and match data are used, critics warn that football’s governing bodies risk undermining their own integrity initiatives—particularly in regions they claim to protect and develop.