Spain combats betting corruption with new national commission

The commission is due to consist of representatives from the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), the National Police, the Civil Guard, the Higher Sports Council as well as those affiliated with both sports competitions and the betting industry.

Members will work towards forming a new strategy that will “develop action plans [and] recommendations or diagnoses to detect, prevent and combat illegal actions in the field of sports competitions and fraud in betting.”
The body will be chaired on a rotating basis by the head of the DGOJ and the Directorate General of Sports (DGS), who will alternate each year in the presidency.

“Corruption linked to the manipulation of sports competitions and betting-related fraud are two of the greatest threats to sport and horse racing, as it undermines each sport’s core values ​​and ruins the experience for fans and spectators,” the Ministry said.

“For this reason… the Government has considered it necessary to establish at the national level a formalised channel of dialogue and cooperation between public authorities, sports organizations, organizers of competitions sports and representatives of the gaming sector.”

Alongside the DGOJ the commission will develop a new early-stage warning system, which will form the basis of a new point of communication to prevent match-fixing and fraud.

The formation of the body follows on from recent crackdowns pertaining to corruption in the sporting world. Back in May, a number of Spanish first and second tier footballers were arrested following allegations of match fixing and involvement in a criminal organisation.

Meanwhile a judge investigating match fixing in Spain stated that Valencia’s two goal win over Valladolid, which landed the club a spot in the Champions League next season, was fixed by a criminal gang and up to seven Valladolid players back in June.