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The International Betting Integrity Association, All-In Diversity Project, Entain Flutter, and Stats Perform, will reveal the results of a groundbreaking study on women’s sport and women in sports gambling, titled ‘Breaking Barricades: Assessing Women’s Sports Growth and Betting Trends, Integrity Challenges,’ during the 2023 Edition of iGB L!VE, which takes place in Amsterdam, on July 12th.
The study was conducted by the German Sport University Cologne and analyses the economic growth of five female sports: volleyball, basketball, tennis, cricket, and soccer. The study also examines betting trends and the integrity of women’s sports for the first time.
Khalid Ali, Chief Executive Officer of the IBIA (pictured), stated that women’s sports have moved from the margins into the mainstream. It is the future for sport and betting. Understanding the impact of the changing landscape in women’s sport on the sports betting industry and the integrity of sports is crucial. The Women’s Football World Cup is set to begin in July. This is the perfect time to launch the conversation on women’s sport, betting, and integrity. We are looking forward to presenting results of the study during iGB L!VE.”
Data confirms that women’s sport has seen a dramatic increase in popularity over the past five years. The Women’s Euros Final of last year set a record attendance for 87,192 people for any Euros Final, whether it was for men or women. And the 2019 Women’s World Cup attracted 1,12 billion viewers across all platforms. The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is expected to break attendance and viewing records.
Women’s sports are growing in popularity, and not only soccer. Women’s rugby, as well as cricket, are experiencing similar growth in popularity. Both World Cups have attracted record numbers of viewers and spectators.
Investment and sponsorship are also increasing. Women’s sports attract prestige brands like Visa. In 2023, the Women’s Premier League will see one of the biggest financial injections ever in women’s cricket history when five teams are auctioned off for over $570 million.
The study examines the impact of the rapid growth in women’s sport on bettors, betting volumes and bets. It also assesses if women’s betting has any particular characteristics. The study also assesses the integrity threats that women’s sport may face, including match-fixing and the level of play. It also looks at the stakeholders involved and the financial and sporting consequences.
Soren Dallmeyer is a professor at the German Sport University Cologne. He said that as women’s sport continues to grow in popularity, sports betting will also expand within this area. As a research institute, we have a responsibility to closely study this rapid expansion. We aim to use existing data and scientific evidence to determine where the integrity of the sport may be threatened and the most effective ways to combat these challenges.
Christina Thakor-Rankin said that the rise of women’s sports has brought in a younger, more female generation of bettors whose betting attitude and approach is different from male bettors. This has implications for not only sports integrity but also trading, market-making, and safe gambling. We can protect customers, sports betting operators and athletes by understanding the rapidly changing landscape. “Thank you to IBIA, German Sport University Cologne Stats Perform Entain Flutter and Flutter for helping the industry take this important first step.”
Henry Steinfeldt will present the results of the study, a professor at the German Sport University Cologne. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the impact the industry has had with Vasileios Bontzouklis Commercial Manager Betting Stats Perform and Silvia Paleari Director of Public Affairs IBIA. The discussion is chaired Christina Thakor-Rankin Co-Founder All-in Diversity Project.
iGB L!VE has cemented its position as the must-attend mid-year European event for the global iGaming industry. The RAI Amsterdam is hosting the show from July 11-14. It will have 14,805 sqm of gross space dedicated to learning, networking and product. Net space taken up by exhibitors is 5,870 square meters, which is 30% more than the previous record of 4,513 square meters recorded last year. The number of exhibitors in Amsterdam has increased by 20%, from 173 to 207. iGB LIVE: July 11-14, RAI Amsterdam. www. iGBLive.com.
