Match-fixing is a growing problem in sports. Most games come from the illegal gambling market in Asia, and are a way for organized networks to finance their crimes.
Svenska Spel actively monitors all its games to detect deviations that may indicate match-fixing.
If we see anything unusual in a game, we stop it immediately and investigate, says Andreas Arver, Integrity Officer at Svenska Spel.
Influencing matches
To increase knowledge and prevent match-fixing, Svenska Spel educates players and referees in SHL on the subject.
SHL generates around ten million kronor per match on the global gambling market and is thus, like other major leagues, a target for organized networks.
During the education, Arver explains that match-fixing often occurs when an individual in a dependent position is contacted with a request to influence matches. It can involve threats, blackmail or bribes to influence matches.
It can involve referees, players or leaders around matches. Anyone close to sports can be affected. Often, you get a request to just do something small in the match, maybe take a warning or so, explains Andreas Arver.
Eight cases in Sweden
Match-fixing is largely driven by football, but is also widespread in basketball, table tennis and e-sports.
Last year, there were eight confirmed cases of match-fixing in Sweden. This year, the figure has been halved.
Swedish ice hockey has not yet had a confirmed case of match-fixing.
We want it to continue like this. The goal is zero vision. Therefore, education and increasing knowledge are the foundation. It's incredibly important that as an active person, you know how it can affect you and what consequences match-fixing can have, says Arver.
Marcus Linde was one of the SHL referees who participated in Svenska Spel's education.
No matter what role you have in sports, it's good to have knowledge about this. Being able to identify your surroundings, if a colleague would show signs of being affected, you can then be there to help and alert. I believe that education, knowledge and discussion are the solution to all such problems.
