IBIA targets Swedish match-fixing in new BOS agreement
Integrity monitoring body commits to improving standards with new Swedish trade association agreement
The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has signed a cooperation-led memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish trade association BOS.
The MoU will see the two bodies work together on projects of mutual interest, with many IBIA members also members of operator-led BOS.
In particular, the IBIA’s work with BOS will focus on promoting effective betting and integrity provisions following the Swedish government’s decision to ban certain types of bets.
“IBIA members have faced a number of regulatory challenges in Sweden since its opening and the betting product restrictions set to be introduced at the start of 2021 will add further burdens, notably relative to unregulated offshore operators,” IBIA CEO Khalid Ali explained.
“We believe that those restrictions will prove counterproductive and we hope that the Swedish authorities will take an evidence-based approach and continually reassess their position on this matter.
“In the meantime, we will work with our colleagues at BOS to do all we can to keep that market safe,” Ali added.
BOS CEO Gustaf Hoffstedt has previously spoken out against the new standards, claiming they will decrease channelisation to Swedish-licensed sports betting operators.
“A clean sport, free from corruption, is of utmost importance for the gambling industry in Sweden,” Hoffstedt explained.
“The gambling industry is a victim when matches are fixed, and it is therefore crucial to not only work hard, but to work together, against manipulation in sports,” he added.
Under the new standards unveiled by the Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) in September, operators will be barred from offering betting markets on the “individual achievements” of players in player-specific markets.
Betting on under-18 players 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 in divisions below this level is prohibited.
In October, Svenska Spel and the Swedish Football Association (SFA) suggested the SGA’s anti-match-fixing council had “lost focus and energy” and was ineffective in combatting corruption.