October 16 – Germany-based bookmaker Interwetten, a partner of the DFB, has stopped offering betting markets for all amateur matches in the country.

The decision was taken after news last month that police in Germany confirmed they are investigating potential betting related match-fixing in 17 lower-league matches.

Matches being investigated were from Germany’s professional third division (3. Liga), semi-professional fourth tier (Regionalliga) and amateur fifth tier (Oberliga). Authorities said they are looking into suspicious refereeing decisions and unusual behaviour from goalkeepers and defenders.

As well as pulling betting markets from the men’s and women’s amateur game (both on their domestic and international platforms), Interwetten have tightened their betting registration rules.

German-based customers can no longer register for its international platform, and international gamblers cannot register on the German platform.

“We very much welcome this decision by Interwetten,” says Dr. Holger Blask, CEO of DFB GmbH & Co. KG.

“This shows the partner’s sense of responsibility. We are both convinced that a controlled sports betting market with licensed sports betting providers ensures proper game play and thus the integrity of sporting competition, as well as best taking player protection into account.”

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