Potential match-fixing in Dutch basketball?

Several former basketball players of Dutch Basketball League club Aris from Leeuwarden are suspected of match-fixing at the end of the 2018-19 season. The suspicion is that they cooperated with Korean gamblers, with tens of thousands of euros riding on the matches.

The Institute of Sports Justice (ISR) has been investigating the case for the past 18 months. Board member Peter Vogelzang confirmed, “There is a reasonable suspicion that match-fixing has taken place.” However, this week ISR has decided to close the case. They have too little money and power for further research.

Three renowned match-fixing analysts from international gambling data companies were asked to investigate the gambling patterns in the four matches. They come to the same conclusion: Aris was the favorite in several matches, but inexplicably a lot of money was bet on the opponent.

Four players were heard by ISR investigators last summer. Three of them were suspected of playing the matches well below their normal level. All players have denied losing the games deliberately.