Sweden has announced its decision to join the Macolin Convention, hoping that this decision will help combat the increasingly severe threat of match-fixing in international sports events.
This move will enable the country to better participate in the global cooperation and information exchange mechanisms aimed at protecting sports integrity.
The Macolin Convention, adopted by the European Commission in 2014, is the only international legal framework specifically aimed at manipulating sports competitions.
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 an information-sharing mechanism among different stakeholders. This move aims to enable Swedish authorities to cooperate more effectively with international partners to identify and prevent manipulation of sports competitions.
Minister for Social Affairs Jacob Forssmed commented on the decision, saying: "Match-fixing is an increasingly serious threat in the sports world, and it occurs more frequently across borders.
"By joining the Macolin Convention, Sweden can fully deepen international cooperation and information exchange. This is a long-awaited important step in combating match-fixing and strengthening sports integrity."
Minister for Financial Markets Niclas Wickman added: "The Swedish gambling market must be orderly. Today's decision means we can continue to fight crime and create safety for gamblers."
The Director-General of the Swedish Gambling Authority, Camilla Rosenberg, also endorsed the move, commenting: "The Swedish Gambling Authority welcomes the government's decision for Sweden to join the Macolin Convention and to ratify it. This deepens international cooperation and strengthens Sweden's important role in combating match-fixing."
