ÖRR documentary takes a critical look at betting on amateur soccer

A joint documentary by various public broadcasters (ÖRR), which was originally broadcast as part of the “ARD Story” series, recently provided interesting insights into the business of betting on German amateur soccer. According to the report, the coverage of this betting market is indeed immense, but many clubs and even the DFB were previously unaware of this. We report on the key function of data scouts and the reaction at club level.

The documentary “Angriff auf den Amateurfußball - Die Gier der Wettindustrie” has actually been available in the ARD media library since 14 August 2024 and was shown on the channel's program on 19 August after the DFB Cup broadcast. Unfortunately, despite the explosive content, it had remained somewhat under our radar. In the article “Are bets on amateur league matches allowed?” recently published by GambleJoe, we touched on the report superficially. Now we want to take the rebroadcast on September 16 (now in the series “NDR Story” on NDR television from 22:00 to 22:45) as an opportunity to report on it again in more detail.

The report not only takes a critical look at the events surrounding betting opportunities on amateur matches, it also reveals that numerous people directly involved and even high-ranking officials in German soccer seem to know nothing about it. It is only after the journalists' investigations that things are slowly starting to move, at least at club level, which means that initial measures are being taken to prevent such betting. However, in view of the scale of the business, in which European sports betting big players are also heavily involved, there seems to be a long way to go in this respect.

Broad coverage of amateur soccer by international bookies: big names such as Betano and bwin also get involved

The broad coverage of German amateur soccer on the platforms of international betting providers has developed into a quiet but lucrative business. Research by BR and ARD-Radio-Recherche Sport shows that even clubs in the lower leagues, which operate far away from the media spotlight, can be found in the betting offers of global bookmakers. These include not only companies that are not regulated in Germany anyway, but also heavyweights such as Betano, Interwetten and bwin. These bookmakers, some of which are even sponsors of major soccer events such as the 2024 European Championship, offer comprehensive betting options for hundreds of amateur matches - from simple win bets to complex special bets such as the number of corners, shots on goal or even yellow cards.

What is particularly interesting is that not only the typical, regular pre-match bets are available, but also real-time options or live tips, where odds are dynamically adjusted depending on the course of the match. These types of betting markets turn the action on the pitch into a permanent basis for speculation, similar to professional matches - with the crucial difference that here the players have little idea of the commercial exploitation of their sporting performance.

Data scouts provide the most important information: A club responds with referrals

Data scouts play a crucial role in the business of betting on amateur soccer, as they provide the most important information that enables betting providers to adjust their odds or options in real time and even place live bets. Without the media coverage that professional matches enjoy, these scouts are essential on the ground to gather key match events. They collect and transmit facts about everything that happens on the pitch - from shots on goal, fouls and throw-ins to player cautions and substitutions.

A striking example of the increasing resistance to these practices was provided by the aforementioned Kirchheimer SC, which became aware of the presence of data scouts through the BR initiative. After the activities were uncovered, the club officials reacted promptly and exercised their domestic authority. A public notice at the sports ground now explicitly prohibits the commercial collection of live data from matches.

Ignorance and understanding for international betting providers at the DFB

The reactions of the German Football Association (DFB) to the revelations of the ÖRR documentary reveal a mixture of ignorance and acceptance of the actions of international betting providers. DFB Vice President Ronny Zimmermann, who is responsible for amateur soccer, was surprised by the research. According to Zimmermann, he was completely unaware that major international bookmakers such as bwin and Interwetten - both sponsors of the DFB - also offer betting on German amateur matches. Zimmermann, who regularly attends matches at amateur grounds himself, said that he had never heard of such a betting market in his many years of experience.

The fact that companies with close ties to the DFB as sponsors list odds on amateur soccer via their global portals not only raises questions about transparency between the partners, but also calls into question the understanding and responsibility of the association's leadership. Zimmermann's reaction, describing this business model as “legitimate” as long as the betting providers comply with the laws of the respective market, illustrates a certain acceptance of the global structure. This statement reflects the legal gray area in which international providers operate.

In this context, the DFB appears to be balancing between economic partnerships and ethical considerations: On the one hand, it does not want to go against the sponsors; on the other hand, the monetization of amateur soccer through betting creates a significant moral dilemma.

Conclusion

Image source: Screenshot von https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/story/angriff-auf-den-amateurfussball-die-gier-der-wettindustrie/br/Y3JpZDovL2JyLmRlL2Jyb2FkY2FzdFNjaGVkdWxlU2xvdC8yY2MyNjEzYy00MWYzLTQ4MGYtOWUyMi1hYzQ2ZWVmOTY2MTk