Sweden initially indicated its decision to join the Macolin Convention in October of the previous year, gaining the endorsement of various ministers, as demonstrated by their public support. The Swedish government has now officially advanced with these plans.
By doing so, Sweden marks its position as the thirteenth nation within the European Union to ratify the Macolin Convention. This convention had already been ratified by a number of countries, including Belgium, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Moldova, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine. Additionally, the Convention has been signed by 39 other European nations and three non-EU countries: Australia, Morocco, and Russia.
This Convention represents the only international legal framework dedicated to combatting match-fixing and sports manipulation. It establishes a system for collaboration between public authorities, governing bodies of sports, betting operators, and competition organizers to thwart, identify, and penalize match-fixing activities.
### Swedish Officials Praise ‘Significant Step’ in Combating Match-Fixing
Jakob Forssmed, Sweden’s social affairs minister and a prominent supporter of the move, emphasized that Sweden’s involvement will contribute to reducing match-fixing and uphold sports integrity.
“Match-fixing is a growing and dangerous menace in sports, frequently crossing international boundaries,” Forssmed stated. “By aligning with the Macolin Convention, Sweden gains full access to enhanced international collaboration and information sharing.”
“This critical and eagerly anticipated step will combat match-fixing and reinforce sports integrity.”
Niklas Wykman, the minister for financial markets and another long-term advocate for joining the Convention, added, “We must maintain order in Sweden’s gambling market. This decision allows us to continue clamping down on crime and ensuring safety for all players.”
### The Macolin Convention’s Background
The Macolin Convention was both negotiated and crafted in 2014, but it wasn’t until September 2019 that the agreement was enacted. It required five years for Italy, Norway, Portugal, Moldova, Switzerland, and Ukraine to ratify the treaty.
The sluggish pace of ratification was largely due to Malta’s opposition, which has not yet signed the Convention. Malta opposed due to its concerns over the Convention’s definition of illegal sports betting, fearing it might inadvertently outlaw its offshore gambling licenses across Europe.
The Convention defines “illegal sports betting” as any betting activity not permitted by the consumer’s jurisdiction’s law. This definition clashes with Malta’s position under Article 37 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union, which guarantees the free movement of goods and services among EU member states.
Despite this, reports from local media indicate Malta might be softening its stance. In 2023, Malta sought a legal firm to analyze the impact of potentially signing the Convention, and by March of this year, the government issued Legal Notices 39 and 40. These notices outlined the creation of a national platform aimed at tackling match-fixing, marking an essential step toward becoming a signatory of the Convention.