Swedish Gambling Authority finalises new anti-match-fixing standards

The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) has confirmed new measures to combat match-fixing including a ban on operators offering markets on penalties, red cards and bookings.

The new standards are designed to complement existing rules contained within the Swedish Gaming Act with a special emphasis on betting on football.

Operators will now be barred from offering betting markets on the “individual achievements” of players in player-specific markets, while betting on under-18s during league or competition matches is also outlawed.

The restrictions will apply to Sweden’s top four divisions, as well as matches in the Swedish cup and training matches.

There is an exception for national team level matches above the under-21 threshold.

All betting on matches taking place in divisions below this level will be completely prohibited.

However, the SGA has also moved to prohibit operators from offering sports betting markets on matches “between teams at international club level where the team is part of one of the four highest leagues in each country”.

The SGA highlighted football as a particularly high-risk sport when it comes to match-fixing, indicating there are “special risks” at lower-league level that require special emphasis and regulatory treatment.

Sweden’s regulator undertook several consultations on the new measures before agreeing the final standards, including the approval of the European Union.

SGA anti-match-fixing unit manager Niklas Hjertonsson said: “This is another step in the work of minimising the risks of match-fixing and the threat to the integrity of sports that match-fixing poses.”

The regulations and general guidelines enter into force on 1 January 2021.