Taiwan approves new penalties for sports corruption
Legal reforms aim to protect sports integrity.
Taiwan.- The Taiwan legislature has approved amendments to the Sports Lottery Issuance Act introducing new punishments, including life imprisonment, for sports corruption and interfering with betting markets through illegal means.
The new legislation criminalises the use of violence, threats, fraud, financial inducement, and other coercive tactics to influence the outcome of sporting competitions. Offenders will face prison sentences ranging from one to seven years, along with fines between NT$10m and NT$30m (US$ 339,600 to $1m). In more serious cases, such as offences involving organised groups or those committed for profit, the minimum sentence rises to three years and fines can reach NT$50m (USD1.7m).
Crimes resulting in death can be punished with seven years to life imprisonment and fines.
The new laws also extend accountability to employees in the lottery system. Article 21-1 introduces penalties for insiders who exploit their roles for illegal gain or damage the financial interests of institutions. Administrative fines for obstructive behaviour by team officials or lottery employees have been replaced with criminal prosecution under Taiwan’s Criminal Code and Code for Criminal Procedure.
Taiwanese officials and lawmakers said the legislation aims to restore public trust in sports and protect the integrity of competitions, especially baseball.
