Switzerland’s Proactive Stance Against Match-Fixing

Since 2019, the Swiss Intercantonal Gaming Supervision (spa) has served as the national hub for combating the manipulation of sports competitions, functioning as a central registration office for reported incidents. The recently released 2024 annual report highlights the organization’s activities adn the trends observed in reported cases of suspected match-fixing.

record Number of Suspicion Reports Filed

In the past year, the spa received a total of 184 reports concerning suspicions related to 166 different competitions.This figure surpasses the previous year’s numbers, indicating a heightened awareness and improved reporting mechanisms. this increase also reflects a more robust information exchange, particularly on an international level.

Globally,match-fixing remains a meaningful threat to the integrity of sports. According to a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and crime (UNODC), match-fixing generates billions of dollars annually, undermining fair play and eroding public trust in sports. The spa’s efforts are crucial in mitigating this threat within Switzerland and beyond.

International Collaboration: A Key Component

The spa actively participates in international collaborations, operating under the framework of the Council of Europe’s “Magglingen Convention against Wettkampfmanipulation in Sport.” In 2024, the spa played a pivotal role in sharing information, forwarding 43 suspected cases to its international counterparts – a higher number than any other national platform. It’s certainly worth noting that cases directly linked to Switzerland remained relatively infrequent.

International cooperation is paramount in the fight against match-fixing, as these schemes often transcend national borders.
Council of Europe

Understanding the Swiss Betting Landscape

In addition to the statistical data, the annual report provides essential background information on the regulated betting market within Switzerland. This context is crucial for understanding the vulnerabilities and potential risks associated with sports manipulation.

accessing the Full Report

The complete annual review from the national platform is available for download at www.gespa.ch.