Illegal gambling bosses celebrate: justice stops match-fixing control
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21 Jun 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes The Public Prosecution Service of the Netherlands has decided to stop actively investigating match-fixing. In practice, this step means that the illegal gambling circuit is given free rein. The functional prosecutor’s office confirms that the police and judiciary lack the capacity to still investigate such cases.
The sports world is shocked. Stopping this task will create a dangerous vacuum. Criminals can manipulate sports matches without any immediate threat of prosecution.
Only two cases in 12 years and now complete withdrawal
Although match-fixing has long been a priority for the judiciary, the results have remained meagre. Only two criminal cases came to court in 12 years. These were community service for two minors and an acquittal for former professional footballer Tom Beugelsdijk.
This low score does not mean that the problem is small. It mainly shows how difficult the approach is. Yet the judiciary is now choosing to withdraw completely. This gives illegal gambling networks room to expand their influence further.
No signals means no action according to OM – criminals are gaining ground
According to strategic advisor Bo van der Meer, the OM sees no useful signals. No taps, no reports, no bycatch. But it is precisely the lack of visibility that makes this form of crime dangerous.
Illegal gambling organisations often operate off the radar. They use anonymous accounts, foreign networks and manipulate players in subtle ways. Just because there are no signals does not mean nothing is happening. It means they have adapted better.
Justice withdraws from national consultations and ends cooperation
The decision has immediate consequences. Justice is dropping out of the Matchfixing Strategic Council and the National Platform. This removes the most important cooperation structure for signalling.
The illegal circuit notices this first. They now know that there is no longer any direct counterforce. As long as nobody reports anything, nobody will intervene.
Sports associations warn that the problem is only now really becoming invisible
The KNVB, KNLTB and NOC*NSF reacted with horror in a joint statement. They warn that the problem is not disappearing, but rather going further underground. Online gambling on Dutch matches continues to increase. This also attracts foreign matchfixers.Without control, manipulation is easier than ever. Criminals can approach players without risk. Visible supervision disappears and with it the line between fair play and organised fraud.