Berrettini Demands Stronger Player Protection Following Death Threats from Bettors

The professional tennis circuit is facing a growing crisis involving player safety and the betting industry. Italian star Matteo Berrettini, following his victory over Stan Wawrinka at the US Open, shared a chilling account of harassment. He revealed that his brother received death threats directed at their family during Roland Garros. These messages were sent by individuals demanding that Berrettini lose his matches to satisfy betting outcomes. Shockingly, the abuse continued even after he had won his matches, demonstrating a persistent and dangerous pattern of harassment.

Berrettini emphasized that these incidents are not isolated and that younger players are particularly at risk. He called for the industry to take more decisive action to protect athletes from the psychological toll of social media abuse. The matter was officially reported to the ATP, yet the former Wimbledon finalist believes the current safeguards are insufficient to counter the sheer volume of vitriol generated by the gambling sector.

"We need to protect the players and do everything possible to create a safe environment for everyone." - Matteo Berrettini, Tennis Professional

Numbers and facts

The scale of the problem is backed by data. A report from the WTA and World Tennis, published in July, indicated that gamblers were behind 42 percent of all verified online abuse during the 2025 season. When looking specifically at serious cases of abuse, that figure rises to 59 percent. The severity of these incidents led to 35 accounts being reported to law enforcement agencies. The ATP's Safe Sport initiative has also been active, scanning 3.1 million social media comments in its inaugural year. This surveillance flagged 162,000 severe comments targeting 245 different professional players.

In contrast to these security concerns, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) has recently expanded its commercial ties with the betting world. Starting with the 2026 tournament, Kalshi has been appointed as the first Official Prediction Market Partner of the US Open. This multi-year agreement follows a staggering 25-fold year-over-year increase in tennis trading volume on the Kalshi platform. The deal will see Kalshi branding across digital channels and on-court signage throughout the tournament.

Background

The USTA has stated that the partnership with Kalshi includes an integrity framework to mitigate risks. Markets related to player injuries, officiating decisions, and code violations are strictly prohibited. Furthermore, Kalshi has entered into a data-sharing agreement with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) to provide real-time monitoring of market activities. However, the juxtaposition of Berrettini’s experiences with this rapid commercial expansion raises questions about whether these integrity measures can truly protect players from the fallout of losing bets.

Why it matters for German players

For German players and bettors, the situation highlights the importance of the domestic regulatory framework. The German Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021) provides a much more controlled environment compared to unregulated international prediction markets. Licensed operators in Germany are strictly monitored by the GGL, ensuring that betting markets are conducted fairly and that players are protected from excessive gambling through the LUGAS and OASIS systems. German residents betting on tennis should always verify that their chosen provider holds a GGL license to ensure they are participating in a system that prioritizes sports integrity and player safety.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Operators holding a GGL license must continue to uphold the highest standards of social responsibility. The news of threats against Berrettini serves as a reminder that the gambling industry has a profound impact on the lives of athletes. For German-licensed sites, this means ensuring that marketing practices do not encourage abusive behavior and that monitoring systems are robust. By adhering to the strict German regulations, including the 1,000-euro monthly deposit limit and the 1-euro stake limit for slots, these operators provide a safer alternative to the high-stakes, often volatile prediction markets found elsewhere.