On the eve of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the year, the tennis world has been rocked by allegations of match fixing on a major scale, involving players near the very pinnacle of the sport. As a result, the integrity of the sport for punters has been dramatically called into question, as has the apparent inaction of the game’s governing bodies.
A joint investigation by Buzzfeed and the BBC has found what it believes to be compelling evidence of widespread corruption and match fixing controlled by organised crime syndicates from Italy and Russia. The investigators allege that matches at many of the world’s leading tournaments, including Wimbledon, have been fixed over the last ten years or so in order for enormous betting coups to be carried out.
Where New Zealanders can open an account
Our register holds 10 operators open to New Zealand right now; the offer figures below were verified on . How every brand is checked.
- 01SlotsMafia CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package350% up to NZ$37,500+ 350 free spinsMin depositNZ$20Wagering50xOnline since2024Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 350%
- Up to: NZ$37,500
- Free spins: 350
- Minimum deposit: NZ$20
- Wagering: 50x
Why it is on the list
- Trading since 2024
- Deposit options include Bank Transfer, Paysafecard
- Balance held in NZD
- 02SlotLounge CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package350% up to NZ$22,500+ 350 free spinsMin depositNZ$30Wagering40xOnline since2025Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 350%
- Up to: NZ$22,500
- Free spins: 350
- Minimum deposit: NZ$30
- Wagering: 40x
Why it is on the list
- Trading since 2025
- Deposit options include Bank Wire Transfer, Jeton, Paysafecard
- Balance held in NZD
- 03DragonSlotsChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package460% up to NZ$8,000+ 700 free spinsMin depositNZ$20Wagering40xOnline since2024Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 460%
- Up to: NZ$8,000
- Free spins: 700
- Minimum deposit: NZ$20
- Wagering: 40x
Why it is on the list
- Listed by 1 independent review sites we track
- Trading since 2024
- Deposit options include Apple Pay, Bank Transfer, Binance
- Balance held in NZD
- 04GranawinChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package100% up to NZ$200+ 120 free spinsMin depositNZ$30Wagering40xOnline since2024Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 100%
- Up to: NZ$200
- Free spins: 120
- Minimum deposit: NZ$30
- Wagering: 40x
Why it is on the list
- Listed by 1 independent review sites we track
- Trading since 2024
- Deposit options include Apple Pay, Bank Transfer, Bank Wire Transfer
- Balance held in NZD
- 05Joo CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package200% up to NZ$3,000+ 200 free spinsMin depositNZ$30Wagering50xOnline since2018Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 200%
- Up to: NZ$3,000
- Free spins: 200
- Minimum deposit: NZ$30
- Wagering: 50x
Why it is on the list
- Trading since 2018
- Full game catalogue on the NZ account
- Deposit options include AstroPay, AstroPay Card, Bank Transfer
- Balance held in NZD
- 06Godz CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package300% up to NZ$15,000+ 300 free spinsMin depositNZ$25Wagering35xOnline since2026Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 300%
- Up to: NZ$15,000
- Free spins: 300
- Minimum deposit: NZ$25
- Wagering: 35x
Why it is on the list
- Trading since 2026
- Deposit options include Bank Wire Transfer, Bitcoin, Ethereum
- Balance held in NZD
- 07Zotabet CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package100% up to NZ$2,000+ 300 free spinsOnline since2022Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 100%
- Up to: NZ$2,000
- Free spins: 300
Why it is on the list
- Trading since 2022
- Full game catalogue on the NZ account
- Deposit options include BLIK, Bank Transfer, Bank Wire Transfer
- Balance held in NZD
- 08Bizzo CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package125% up to NZ$2,500+ 125 free spinsMin depositNZ$25Wagering40xOnline since2021Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 125%
- Up to: NZ$2,500
- Free spins: 125
- Minimum deposit: NZ$25
- Wagering: 40x
Why it is on the list
- Listed by 1 independent review sites we track
- Trading since 2021
- 10 game categories on the NZ account
- Deposit options include AstroPay Card, Bitcoin, CashtoCode
- Balance held in NZD
- 09All Slots CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyWelcome package100% up to NZ$1,500Read our All Slots Casino reviewMin depositNZ$5Wagering35xOnline since1999Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 100%
- Up to: NZ$1,500
- Minimum deposit: NZ$5
- Wagering: 35x
Why it is on the list
- Listed by 1 independent review sites we track
- Trading since 1999
- 29 game categories on the NZ account
- Deposit options include Abaqoos, Apple Pay, Bank Transfer
- Balance held in NZD
- 10Rizk CasinoChecked
Visit site20+ · T&Cs applyOnline since2016Offer terms
- Offer: Welcome
- Match: 100%
- Up to: NZ$2,000
- Free spins: 50
Why it is on the list
- Trading since 2016
- 25 game categories on the NZ account
- Deposit options include A-bon, Aircash, Apple Pay
- Balance held in NZD
Order is ours and the operators listed pay us a commission when you open an account; that does not change the figures above, which come from the operator pages and are re-checked on the date shown. Gambling is entertainment, not income: play with money you can lose, 20+ only. Free, confidential help in New Zealand — Gambling Helpline 0800 654 655.
There are 16 players who are alleged to have been involved at some level in the rigging of matches, most of whom are or have ranked been in the top 50 and, according to Heidi Blake, Buzzfeed’s UK Investigations Editor, about half of whom are set to take part in this week’s Australian Open. It is reported that the players under scrutiny include winners of Grand Slam titles.
These 16 players, it is reported, have repeatedly been brought to the attention of the Tennis Integrity Unit, the body charged with investigating corruption in the game, but it would appear it has taken no action against them and they have been allowed to continue playing.
However, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has dismissed claims made in the reports that information regarding the alleged match fixing has been suppressed, saying that it has zero tolerance with regard to corruption and betting-related match fixing. However, Chris Kermode, the head of the ATP, has said that it will “investigate any new information.”
An investigation was set up by the ATP itself in 2007 regarding unusual betting action on a match between Nikolay Davydenko and Martin Vassallo Arguello, although both players were cleared of any wrongdoing at the time. However, this latest Buzzed and BBC investigation used this same match as a starting point for their enquiries, which quickly grew to encompass a number of other top-ranked players and international gambling rings.
It is thought that betting rings have made hundreds of thousands of dollars on allegedly fixed games, with players offered amounts up to $50,000 to throw sets or entire matches. This is despite previous investigations in 2008 into a number of the same players, and an anti-corruption code being introduced into world tennis in 2009. There have been further investigations into a number of these players in subsequent years but no disciplinary action with regard to match fixing has ever been taken.
The scandal is set to overshadow the Australian Open and will no doubt create doubt in the minds of punters as to whether it is safe to bet on tennis in this tournament or in the future.
For the best sports betting casino visit our sports betting section.