Sweden tackles match manipulation with new Macolin Convention
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22 Nov 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Sweden is now officially joining the fight against match manipulation. Also known as match-fixing. The Swedish government has announced that it will sign the Macolin Convention. This convention, which has already been approved by many European countries, aims to ensure that sports competitions remain fair and that results are not manipulated. For the Swedish gambling watchdog Spelinspektionen, this feels like a major step forward.
Spelinspektionen welcomes the government’s decision. Director General Camilla Rosenberg says that this agreement will enable Sweden to cooperate even better with other countries to prevent match manipulation. According to her, it will help Sweden’s position in the fight for fair sports.
What is the Macolin Convention?
In 2014, the Council of Europe drew up the Macolin Convention. These agreements are intended to tackle match manipulation. Participating countries promise to do their best to keep sports competitions fair. 34 countries have now signed up. Including major sporting countries such as France, Italy and Switzerland.
Sweden can join without any hassle. The government has stated that no additional legislation or approval is required. So they can join immediately. By signing the convention, Sweden shows that it really wants to work on fair sport and is seeking international cooperation to tackle this.
As part of the convention, Swedish authorities will soon have to work together with sports organisations, gambling companies and competition organisers. They will take measures together to prevent match manipulation. And be able to intervene quickly if something does go wrong.
Global movement against match manipulation is growing
Sweden is not the only country taking this step. Spain also joined the Macolin Convention last month. The Spanish gambling watchdog, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), sees this accession as a crucial step in protecting sports integrity. The convention will officially apply to Spain from February 2025.
The number of countries joining the Macolin Convention is growing rapidly. Countries are increasingly realising that they cannot tackle match-fixing alone. By working together, sharing information and establishing common rules, it is becoming increasingly difficult for match-fixers to cheat.