The phenomenon of match-fixing: Unprecedented increase over the last years in the number of match-fixing cases (commercialization of sport events; increase in online gambling offer; transnationality through the use of Internet)
A public interest issue requiring criminal law responses as well Links to corruption, money-laundering and organized crime.
Basic recommendations of IOC Working Group – 16 November 2011 Legislation and Regulations:
1. In this fight, sports organizations need to have effective rules and be capable of acting in support of these. However, they cannot operate alone but require the support of the national prosecution authorities (justice/police/gambling regulators), international organizations and betting operators.
2. The appropriate national legislative framework is essential to regulate the activity and permit all forms of action against irregular and illegal betting in sport.
3. National betting regulators seem to represent the best solution for enabling effective cooperation between the various stakeholders, the sports movement, sports betting operators and public authorities, at both national and international level.
4. A national statute creating a criminal offence of sports manipulation linked to betting is needed in order for the national prosecution authorities to act, together with international agreements. It would be preferable if the statute creating the offence included certain guidelines in order to facilitate international cooperation.
5. Interpol and UNODC must play a central role in facilitating this international cooperation, particularly with regard to enabling the flows of information and Intelligence between the investigating agencies, and to establishing guidelines allowing for meaningful cooperation, based on their practical experience.
The UNODC/IOC study on “Criminalization approaches to combat match-fixing and illegal/irregular betting: A global perspective”
