Tennis Shock: Stefan Milićević Receives Historic 24-Year Match-Fixing Ban

A massive tremor is shaking the tennis world, sending shockwaves through the sports betting market. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has imposed a 24-year suspension on Serbian professional player Stefan Milićević. It is a draconian sentence that effectively amounts to a lifetime ban, as the 29-year-old athlete would not be allowed to step onto an official tennis court again until the year 2050. The case is particularly serious because it involves not only individual misconduct but the establishment of a criminal network within the sport.

The investigation paints a picture of a player who systematically undermined the integrity of his sport. Milićević was found guilty of fixing six matches between 2022 and 2024. In five of these contests, he was competing himself. However, that was not all: he attempted to fix six further matches and acted as a recruiter for the dark side of the sport. He recruited other professionals for his purposes, which led to several other players becoming entangled in criminal activities.

Numbers and facts

The details of the ITIA investigation are startling. Milićević reached a career-high ranking of only 1,388 and was primarily active in lower-tier tournament categories. Yet, these fringes of professional sport are considered particularly vulnerable to betting fraud, as prize money is low and monitoring is often less stringent than at major Grand Slams. In addition to the 24-year ban, the Serbian must pay a fine of €70,000 (approximately £59,077).

The player's behavior during the investigation was notably defiant. The ITIA announced that Milićević refused any cooperation. Despite seven separate attempts by the agency to obtain a response or statement through multiple channels, the player remained silent. He also failed to respond to the official Notice of Major Offence issued on September 24. The suspension officially took effect on October 9, 2026, and prohibits him not only from playing but also from coaching or attending events sanctioned by the ATP, WTA, and Grand Slams.

"[The player] did not engage in or cooperate with the investigation, despite seven separate ITIA attempts, through multiple channels, to raise a response from the player." - International Tennis Integrity Agency, Official Statement

Background

The Milićević case is not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend in 2026. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, the ITIA issued nine sanctions for integrity violations. A total of ten alerts for suspicious betting activity were issued during this period. These alerts accounted for 12 percent of all tips received by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). In the previous year, 2025, the IBIA recorded 74 suspicious alerts in tennis, making the sport the second most affected after football (110 alerts).

The ban against Milićević even exceeds the 20-year suspension given to Jasel Beltre earlier this year. With this, the ITIA is sending a clear signal against the corrupt networks that try to trap young or lower-ranked players with quick money. Cooperation between betting providers and integrity authorities appears to be working better than ever, as suspicious odds fluctuations often provide the first clues for investigations.

Why it matters for German players

For German sports betting fans, this case has direct relevance. Anyone wishing to bet legally in Germany must do so with providers listed on the so-called whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). These licensed bookmakers are subject to strict rules designed, among other things, to prevent match-fixing. The 2021 State Treaty on Gambling mandates that providers report suspicious bets immediately. This not only protects the integrity of the sport but also prevents honest bettors from being cheated by manipulated odds.

Furthermore, protective measures in Germany apply, such as the monthly deposit limit of €1,000 via the LUGAS system and the stake limit of €1 per spin for slots, while sports betting utilizes its own monitoring systems for addiction prevention. A player betting on unregulated black market sites (such as those with MGA or Curacao licenses without a German license) risks being completely unprotected in the event of fixed matches like those of Milićević. German licenses guarantee that bets are based on fair competition.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators of online casinos and betting portals with a GGL license, this case confirms their strict compliance requirements. Monitoring betting flows is an integral part of license conditions. While unregulated providers often look away when large sums are wagered on insignificant matches of the world number 1,388, alarm bells ring immediately for German licensees. This incident underscores the importance of cooperation with organizations like the IBIA to keep the market clean.