A number of lawmakers have insisted that types of betting markets such as in-play
One of the most insightful reports when it comes to Asian black betting markets and the manipulation of sporting events was published in “Te Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements” (Wood Review) which was requested as part of the work being done by the Australian government to develop a National Sport Plan.
Published in August 2018, it pointed to unregulated or poorly regulated markets in Asia as a particular danger to sports betting integrity. Due to lack of regulation in these markets Asia was a low-risk, high-profit environment for the manipulation of sports competitions at all levels, but particularly lower levels, the authors argued.
More recently, a policy paper published jointly by the IOC, INTERPOL, and Te United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted the challenges posed by the Covid-19 to the integrity of sport.
Te report emphasised that governments and sporting bodies should be especially vigilant due to increased hardships on athletes which could lead to criminal groups trying to exploit the situation. Indeed, athletes struggling in lower tiers and having a hard time making a living are particularly prone to manipulating results for money, especially in tennis.
A number of lawmakers have insisted that types of betting markets such as in-play betting should be banned or bets on lower tier leagues as this would discourage betting on these markets. However, research carried out by a number of organisations including the UK Gambling Commission have shown that in-play betting carries no additional risk from a match manipulation perspective.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Efforts have been made by individual jurisdictions to combat match fixing while moves are afoot in a number of other countries to try and prevent it. In the UK in 2009, the Minister for Sport brought together a panel of experts to form the Sports Betting Integrity Panel.
Under its recommendations the Commission’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) was created to help protect Britain betting against potential corruption. From April 1, gambling licensees are required to provide the SBIU with details of betting integrity.
Te French government launched a watchdog to monitor online betting in a bid to combat match-fixing back in 2016 and in March 2021 the French National Assembly unanimously adopted an article recognising the national platform to combat the manipulation of sports competitions. Germany too has taken steps to impose harsher sanctions. In 2017 the lower
betting should be banned or bets on lower tier leagues as this would discourage betting on these markets. However, research carried out by a number of organisations including the UK Gambling Commission have shown that in-play betting carries no additional risk from a match manipulation perspective.
house of parliament passed a law against match fixing and betting fraud setting out prison sentences of up to three years for any player, coach or referee found guilty of match fixing. Other similar measures are being imposed in jurisdictions worldwide as the need for them becomes clearer after match fixing probes. In October, the Swedish government put forward a number of new rules to fight match fixing after Te Swedish Football Association (Svensk Fotboll) revealed the outcome of a match-fixing investigation against four players.
Countries have also been working together to help combat the problem, most notably via the Macolin Convention which entered into force in September 2019. It is the only rule of international law on the manipulation of sports competitions and is implemented by the public authorities in co-operation with national and international actors.
Governments working with the industry along with ever increasing fraud detection measures have served to highlight the scale of the
problem shedding light on new ways organised criminals are using to manipulate match results. As the market
continues to expand and new markets open up, especially in arguably more vulnerable markets such as Africa and
Latin America, the need for the close monitoring of sporting events will become
increasingly important.
INTERNATIONAL SPORTING BODIES/ AGENCIES AND THE BETTING INDUSTRY
Sports organisations are also employing a more proactive approach to combating sports betting corruption. In March 2021, FIFA, in collaboration with UNODC, launched the Global Integrity Programme – a comprehensive international programme aimed at providing all 211 member associations with enhanced knowledge and tools to fight and prevent match manipulation.
In tennis, Te International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) was established in January by the governing bodies of tennis (ATP, WTA, ITF and Grand Slam Board) as a fully independent body to safeguard the integrity of professional tennis worldwide. Te Esports Integrity Commission works with eSports stakeholders to protect the integrity of eSports.
Sports betting data companies and operators are also playing an increasingly significant role when it comes to monitoring and flagging up suspicious matches.
According to the Gambling Commission “Integrity Snapshot” published in April 2021, 34 per cent of betting integrity reports came from betting operators. A further 20 per cent came from sports governing bodies, while 15 per cent came from bet monitoring and data suppliers, and 10 per cent from other regulators and national platforms.
HOW THE SPORTS BETTING INDUSTRY IS TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF MATCH FIXING
Governments working with the industry along with ever increasing fraud detection measures have served to highlight the scale of the problem shedding light on new ways organised criminals are using to manipulate match results. As the market continues to expand and new markets open up, especially in arguably more vulnerable markets such as Africa and Latin America, the need for the close monitoring of sporting events will become increasingly important.
Both the sports betting industry and sports organisations have recognised that they must continue to do all they can to protect the integrity of sports and work together to prevent match fixing. Working alongside government bodies and sporting associations, there is clear evidence that these partnerships will continue to grow. Furthermore, the sports betting industry is working in an increasingly coordinated way with governments and sporting bodies to identify potentially fixed results.
So as match-fixing evolves what is being done to protect sports from criminal elements? Which sports are most vulnerable to match fixing and why? How can the sports betting industry work with government agencies to undermine the efforts of criminals and what is the best approach to prevent match fixing in the future?
WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P41
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