Swedish Gambling Association Supports Measures to Combat Match Fixing

The Swedish online gambling trade association (BOS) has expressed its support for government proposals aimed at enhancing data sharing to tackle suspected match-fixing.

A proposed amendment to Section 8 of Chapter 17 of the Swedish Gambling Act would enable licensed operators to process players' personal data in cases where they are suspected of involvement in match-fixing. This amendment would facilitate the exchange of information between the Spelinspektionen regulator and sports associations regarding suspicions of match-fixing.

Gustav Hoffstedt, the general secretary of BOS, highlighted that existing privacy laws have created obstacles for betting companies and sports organizations to collaborate against "fixers" regarding gamers' personal data. The proposed government measures aim to remove these obstacles, a move that the association fully supports.

Hoffstedt emphasized that Sweden has already made significant strides in combating match-fixing in recent years, with a decrease in the number of suspected match manipulation cases. He believes that increased information sharing between betting companies and sports federations will further strengthen efforts to combat this issue.