Six Things You Should Know About Sports Betting and Click Fraud

As sports betting ad budgets reach record highs, fraudsters are zeroing in on every click. From bots manipulating bonuses to navigational traffic inflating bids, invalid traffic is draining budgets and undermining campaign performance across major events from the World Cup to Premier League fixtures. 

Let’s unpack the data in this blog and show you how to stop it.

Why the Betting Industry Is a Prime Target for Click Fraud

Global sports betting revenue is projected to reach US$198.53 billion by 2030. Iconic events such as the FIFA World Cup still draw the biggest stakes with over $100–125 billion wagered in one tournament alone.

That intensity attracts fraud. High-cost customer acquisition, powerful incentives and real-time bidding dynamics make sports brands a lucrative target for click fraud and bonus abuse. If you’re an investor, affiliate, or regulator, understanding the tiers of sports betting operators is key to spotting who’s rising, who’s treading water, and who’s dead in the water. Explore the full breakdown.

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The Six Key Realities of Click Fraud in Sports Betting

1. Click Fraud in Betting Is More Prevalent Than Ever

More eyeballs mean more clicks: click fraud is soaring. With operators pumping ad spend into tournaments and Premier League seasons, fraudsters plant bots and bonus hunters amidst genuine users. 

2. The Industry Faces Higher Exposure Than Most

Invalid traffic in gambling campaigns sits around 34%, second only to financial services. That makes sports betting one of the most fraud-exposed ad verticals. Dive into our whitepaper here for more insights.

3. It’s Quietly Inflating Ad Spend and Reducing ROI

One TrafficGuard customer in the gambling vertical found:

• 38% of clicks were invalid
• £19,000 wasted on fraud which is almost 50% of total spend
• 83% of invalid clicks came from bots

Without robust click fraud protection, brands pay for phantom engagement, distort bidding algorithms and drown in misleading data.

4. Traffic Spikes Are an Open Door for Fraudsters

Major events bring massive traffic, and fraud spikes with them. During the World Cup, over $100 billion in bets flood in creating fertile ground for fraudsters to hide in plain sight. Premier League campaigns see similar surges; exacerbated by proliferating gambling ads both on-site and across media channels. Without custom thresholds and real-time click fraud prevention software, fraud often slips through during peak spend periods.

5. You Need a Purpose-Built Solution to Stay Protected

Generic ad-fraud tools fail to meet the demands of betting markets. Operators need solutions tailored to bonus abuse, bot bursts and event-driven surges. Only a purpose-built system like TrafficGuard can prevent click fraud in real time and maintain clean data and budgets.

6. Loyal Users Are Silently Draining Your Acquisition Budget

Branded search isn’t just attracting new players. It’s often used by existing customers who click ads just to log in. These repeat users inflate your cost-per-click without contributing to growth. Without filtering these behaviours, valuable FTD budget is diverted toward repeat sessions instead of genuine acquisition. TrafficGuard identifies and removes these patterns so your spend stays focused on bringing in new depositors, not re-engaging the already converted.

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How TrafficGuard Helps Betting Brands Block Click Fraud

TrafficGuard’s invalid traffic solution for gambling companies tackles sector-specific threats and issues::

• Block fraud across Search, Pmax, Meta and mobile in real time
• Custom thresholds for bot bursts, repeat clicks and bonus abuse
• Reduce exposure of wasted spend on navigational traffic clicks from customers
• Secure budget spend during spikes like World Cup, EPL and playoffs
• Provide clear traffic insights to improve bidding and protect ROAS

Don’t let bots ruin your next peak campaign. Speak with our VP of Sports Betting and Online Gaming to see how TrafficGuard can protect your spend.

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FAQ & Key Takeaways

1. Why is click fraud rampant in betting?
   High budgets, rapid scaling during events, and aggressive promotional offers make the industry a prime target.
   
   
2. How bad is click fraud for Sports Betting operators?
   Up to 34% of traffic on betting campaigns is invalid, and fraud levels spike during global events; often amid over $100 billion in wagers. Learn what’s driving the fraud and how to defend your budget with TrafficGuard.
   
   
3. How do I stop it?
   Use click fraud prevention software tailored for betting. TrafficGuard blocks invalid clicks live to protect budgets and data integrity. With pre-bid optimisation, dynamic exclusion lists, and real-time alerts, you can focus on reaching real users and driving results.

With global sports betting revenues expected to hit $100 billion+ by 2025 and grow steadily, the time to act is now with TrafficGuard. A smart, proactive approach to click fraud will ensure your ad spend goes where it should, toward real users, not bots.