Sweden has opted to become a participant in the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention, targeting the issue of match-fixing in sports.
Initiated in 2014, the Macolin Convention implements strategies to address the manipulation of sports outcomes through global collaboration and sharing of information about suspicious activities. It stands as the sole international legal framework dedicated to tackling match-fixing in sports.
Following its launch, eight European member states, including Sweden, have ratified the convention. Additionally, it has been signed by 32 other European nations, along with countries like Australia and Morocco.
Niklas Wykman, Sweden’s Minister of Financial Markets, remarked, “Maintaining proper order in the Swedish gaming sector is essential. Our decision today enables us to continue cracking down on criminal activities while providing safety for participants. This is a positive development.”
Sweden’s Ministry of Social Affairs had previously assessed that all necessary conditions were in place to join the convention.
The Ministry’s findings indicated that ratifying the convention does not require constitutional changes or further approval from the Riksdag.
The proposal gained subsequent endorsement from the country’s gambling regulatory body, Spelinspektionen, earlier in November.
Jakob Forssmed, Sweden’s Minister of Social Affairs, emphasized, “Match-fixing poses a significant and growing threat to sports, increasingly crossing international boundaries.”
“By joining the Macolin Convention, Sweden can fully engage in international collaboration and information sharing. This marks a crucial and overdue step in combating match-fixing and enhancing sports integrity.”