• The Campaign for Fairer Gambling released a new report from Yield Sec, which focused on how illegal sports streaming bolsters illegal gambling across the United States
• Illegal sports streams promote illegal gambling and, at the same time, spread spyware and malware
• Derek Webb, the Campaign for Fairer Gambling's Founder, speaks about the importance of regulating sports content, the protection of sports leagues and broadcasters

The independent, pragmatic voice on gambling policy, the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG), released details regarding a new report which focused on illegal streaming of live sports and the role of the activity in promoting illegal gambling.

Theft of premium sports content helps expand the reach of illegal online gambling

The new report was commissioned by the CFG and created by Yield Sec, the leading online intelligence platform.

Notably, the report uncovered that sports fans across the United States accessed some 4.2bn illegal sports streams of 90 seconds or more in 2024 alone.

An overwhelming majority, or 82% of those illegal sports streams promoted illegal online gambling, the new report warned.

Equally concerning, the white paper revealed that illegal online gambling is "the commercial engine behind the theft of premium sports content."

Besides promoting illegal online gambling and fueling a $67bn black market in the US, the illegal streams spread malware and spyware.

Per the newly released report, 84% of the illegal stream views were "laced with malware, spyware or keystroke loggers."

This malicious activity effectively turned many of the viewers into victims.

The unlawful sports streams impact not only sports teams and franchises such as the NBA, NFL and NHL, among others, but also steal premium content "on an industrial scale" from leading broadcasters, including but not limited to ESPN, ABC, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, DAZN and many more.

Crime networks steal from America's sports content and lure people into illegal gambling

Ismail Vali, Yield Sec's Founder and CEO, commented on the newly released report, Casino Guru News learned from a press release.

"Illegal streaming is a Trojan Horse for digital crime, hiding exploitation and theft behind the lure of "free" content," he revealed.

Vali acknowledged that the new report highlights the major role of illegal streams in the context of criminal rings that are widespread and well-organized.

Finally, Yield Sec's Founder and CEO pointed out: "America is being stolen from by crime across its sports ecosystem, risking the future of premium sports content that the audience demands and desires, and the future sustainable growth and development of American sports."

Derek Webb, CFG's Founder, added: "Illegal streaming and illegal gambling have formed a dark nexus - a transnational network of techno crime."

What's more, the executive pointed to the "soft power" enforced by the US in the context of the expansion of sports and entertainment content across the globe.

Last but not least, Webb encouraged the federal government to better protect the country's "online borders" and defend the economy from such unlawful activities.

The release of the recent report comes after the FIFA Club World Cup and the NBA Finals wrapped up earlier this month.

Notably, both basketball and soccer are among the top 10 sports that are most illegally streamed in the United States.

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