The European Gaming & Betting Association (EGBA), the ESSA Sports Betting Industry and the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) have all voiced their support over the Council of Europe’s new Convention on match-fixing.
The treaty has been created in response to match-fixing in football, which has increased in recent times.
Nations that sign up to the treaty are expected to promote preventive measures, exchange information about suspicious bets at both national and international level, as well as target illegal betting operations and take criminal action against those engaged in fraud or coercion.
The new treaty will also boost protection for whistleblowers while offending bookmakers may have their cashflows blocked.
“The Convention rightly addresses match fixing as a cross-border issue that requires international cooperation,” EGBA secretary general Maarten Haijer said.
“It is our hope that it will further set the tone for a more effective cooperation between all stakeholders to eradicate match fixing.
“However, we are aware that the CJEU has rightly been asked to provide its opinion on the compatibility of the definition of ‘illegal sports betting’ with EU law, and consider that the application of at least this provision should be postponed until the CJEU has provided legal clarity.”
Clive Hawkswood, chief executive of the RGA, said that while discussions over the Conventions were “challenging” at times, the end result is a “workable” framework that will help tackle match-fixing.
Hawkswood said: “What we have now is a relatively balanced and workable framework, which rightly seeks to reflect the range of existing national regulatory frameworks rather than replace them.
“However there are still a small number of areas that we believe could be improved upon and we hope there will be opportunities to review them in due course.”
Khalid Ali, secretary general of ESSA, added: “The Convention is principally focused on addressing the danger to sport and to the regulated betting markets from match-fixing, which primarily emanates from organised international criminal gangs, corrupt sportspeople and the unregulated betting sector.
“As one of the potential victims of that criminal activity, the regulated betting sector welcomes the aims of the Convention.
“However, it is important that it does impose any unnecessary restrictions that could drive consumers to the unregulated markets.”
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
