Key points:
- Sweden joins the Macolin Convention to combat international match-fixing
- The decision sees Sweden becoming the eighth EU country to ratify the convention
- The convention aims to enhance international cooperation and information sharing to safeguard sports integrity
Sweden has announced its decision to join the Macolin Convention, a decision that hopes to help combat the growing international threat of match-fixing in sports.
The move will provide the country with enhanced access to global cooperation and information exchange mechanisms designed to protect sports integrity.
Adopted by the Council of Europe in 2014, the Macolin Convention represents the only international legal framework specifically addressing sports competition manipulation.
By joining the convention, Sweden becomes the eighth EU country to ratify this international agreement.
A key aspect of the convention is the establishment of information-sharing mechanisms between different stakeholders. This aims to allow Swedish authorities to collaborate more effectively with international partners in identifying and preventing sports competition manipulation.
Commenting on the decision, Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed stated: “Match-fixing is a serious and increasing threat in sports and is happening more and more often across national borders.
“By now joining the Macolin Convention, Sweden gets full access to deepened international cooperation and information exchange. This is a long-awaited and important step to counter match-fixing and strengthen integrity in sports.”
Financial Markets Minister Niklas Wykman added: “There must be order in the Swedish gaming market. The decision today means that we can continue to suppress crime and create security for those who play.”
The Swedish Gaming Authority's Director General Camilla Rosenberg also approved of the move, commenting: “The Swedish Gaming Authority welcomes the government's decision that Sweden should accede to the Macolin Convention and at the same time ratify the convention. It deepens international cooperation and strengthens Sweden's position in the important work against match-fixing.”
