
In the Lisbon Treaty, sports recently got its own article (§165), but according to MEP Morten Løkkegaard the EU countries generally consider match-fixing a national matter.
Therefore, it is difficult for the countries to reach an agreement on how to fight it, especially since some states rely heavily on online sports-gambling, eg Malta.
In recent years, Europol has had success in uncovering match-fixing scandals, and has gained support in the EU for its endeavours. But, a steady stream of success is important to keep up the political momentum, as Morten Løkkegaard explains.
Failure is still an option
“The fight against match-fixing is on the right track politically, but failure is still an option”.
According to Chris Rasmussen of the World Lottery Association approximately 10-15 % of match-fixing is actually discovered and rapported, but the remainder still fly under the radar.
The need to fight match-fixing stems from the sobering realization that it is a billion dollar business, and the gains wind up in the pockets of organized crime.
Law is the weapon of choice
Common EU-legislature would go a long way in the prevention of match-fixing internationally.
But when the European Commission suggested a collaborative effort to create a European center against match-fixing, it fell trough because 1 of 27 states did not agree.
And as Morten Løkkegaard explains: “There can be no legislation without agreement”.