Spain launches national plan on sports betting fraud

Spain’s CONFAD has approved a plan to implement a series of measures over the next 18 months.

Spain.- The National Commission to Combat the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and Betting Fraud (CONFAD) has approved a series of measures to be introduced over the next 18 months to fight fraud in sports betting in Spain.

The plan aims to raise public and professional awareness of the dangers of corruption in sports by educating athletes, coaches and other professionals on the legal framework surrounding sports betting fraud, to clarify the risks and threats.

CONFAD aims to improve monitoring and follow-up activities currently in place. It has also said that it will subject the existing legal framework to continual reviews and updates of regulation would be key in order to keep pace with change and technological advances in the market.

It said: “The increasing relevance and constant evolution of the manipulation of sports competitions and betting fraud demonstrate the need to have an effective approach in the fight against this practice.

Under Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, CONFAD’s anti-fraud work follows the four pillars of analysis and diagnosis; disclosure and awareness; control and monitoring, and the study of existing regulations and operations.

The commission comprises the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), the Higher Council for Sports, the National Police and the Civil Guard.

The four organisations will work alongside sports governing bodies including Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, La Liga, Association of Spanish Soccer Players, plus major betting operators bet365, Sportium, Codere and GVC Holdings.

Spain expects to introduce tight new restrictions on gambling promotion by October.