The fight against match-fixing, that is, the phenomenon of match-fixing, knows no borders as it is a problem on a global scale. This is why the memorandum of understanding between the Swedish Gaming Authority and IBIA is important.
SGA-IBIA: agreement against match-fixing
SGA and IBIA together against match-fixing
The online gaming industry, especially the sports betting industry, must form a united front against the criminal tendencies that attack the welfare and survival of the legal sector every day. Threats such as match-fixing they are increasingly gaining priority for both operators and governments that regulate markets and collect taxes on revenues.
Like Brazil recently, Sweden is joining the global action to combat this phenomenon. For those who don’t know, we are talking about match fixing in case the outcome of a sporting event is changed or decided at random, with the aim of gaining profits from illegal betting on the event itself. There is an organization that monitors and fights this incident and that is IBIA. International Betting Integrity Association.
IBIA recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Spelinspektionen, known by its international acronym SGA (Swedish Gambling Authority), which represents more or less the equivalent of our Customs and Excise Authority for the Scandinavian country. The agreement aims to combine efforts. Sharing information about suspicious betting activity In Swedish sports. Moreover, the majority of Swedish legal operators are already IBIA members.
Dimensions of the incident and weapons of the sector
How common is match-fixing really in Europe and the world? It’s hard to say, but for example a recent Europol report also mentions cases as well as the involvement of prosecutors and sports administrators at the youth sports level. It is an extremely worrying situation that can only be effectively combated by coordinated actions between institutions, operators and law enforcement agencies.
In this sense, if associations such as IBIA have a wide membership and ever-expanding databases, keeping the sports betting industry intact is not a dream. In fact, IBIA CEO Khalid Alì said he was excited about the deal with SGA because access to data on suspicious transactions is vital. Facilitate investigative activity. Camilla Rosenberg, SGA’s chief executive, agrees.
How can the fight against match-fixing be implemented in practice? Block suspicious accounts and related transactions It is one of the existing weapons that can and should be strengthened at the legislative level. In fact, the Swedish Gambling Authority announced last December a global reform of the industry that will adapt regulations to make the gaming industry in Sweden increasingly transparent.
