France gives match-fixing organised crime status
Authorities can now use tools like covert surveillance previously reserved for crimes like drug trafficking and financial fraud.
France.- A measure has come into effect to reclassify match-fixing as a form of organised crime in France. Introduced in a package of amendments aimed at combating drug trafficking and financial crimes, the move is intended to enhance the integrity of sports and will make use of data from the national gambling regulator.
Cases of match-fixing will now come under the jurisdiction of specialised inter-regional courts, JIRS, which are equipped to investigate complex criminal networks and systemic corruption. The change means authorities will be able to use tools like covert surveillance such as wiretapping along with undercover operations and extended detention periods normally reserved for high-level crimes like drug trafficking and financial fraud.
Those found guilty of manipulating sporting outcomes will face penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines reaching €1m. The legislation targets both passive and active bribery in sports and horseracing events where betting is involved, whether committed by participants or external actors.
The national gambling regulator, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), already monitors wagering patterns and odds fluctuations with the aim of identifying suspicious activity. The regulator has the authority to prohibit betting on specific events if credible signs of manipulation emerge.
The ANJ convenes its anti-match-fixing task force every six weeks and conducts training sessions for athletes, judicial officials and public servants to build awareness and improve detection of betting-related fraud.
Last month, the ANJ proposed new policy recommendations ahead of the next World Cup, including a call for a whistle-to-whistle ban on gambling ads during sports broadcasts. The ban would be similar to the voluntary initiatives introduced in Britain by the Betting and Gaming Council in 2019 and more recently in Ireland by Irish Bookmakers Association. Those measures prohibit the use of gambling ads during sports broadcasts starting from five minutes before the start of sports broadcasts until five minutes after the end.
