Spotfixing

Spotfixing, also spelled spot-fixing, is a form of corruption in sports in which participants agree to influence a specific, limited aspect of a game or match rather than its overall outcome. The aim is to profit from betting markets by fixing events such as the number of runs scored in an over, the occurrence of a no-ball, the identity of the next dismissed batsman, or other discrete incidents. The rest of the match may proceed normally, making the fixed element harder to detect.

Cricket has been the sport most closely associated with spot-fixing. In 2010, several Pakistan national team players were implicated in a spot-fixing scandal during a tour of England, leading to investigations by the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board and resulting in sanctions for those involved. While cricket is the most publicized example, spot-fixing has been alleged or investigated in other sports as well, though cases are less common and often harder to verify publicly.

Mechanisms of spot-fixing typically involve arrangements between players and fixers or bettors, sometimes facilitated by coded communication or meetings outside official venues. Detection relies on irregular betting patterns, suspicious communications, and investigations by sports governing bodies and law enforcement. The practice is distinct from broader match-fixing, which seeks to determine the final result.

Legal and ethical considerations are central to spot-fixing. It is illegal in many jurisdictions and violates the integrity rules of most sports. Governing bodies employ anti-corruption units and codes of conduct to detect, deter, and punish such activity, including suspensions, bans, fines, and potential criminal charges. Preventive measures include education, monitoring of betting markets, and strict conflict-of-interest protocols for players and officials.