(Jamma) "The numerous cases of match-fixing and illegal betting, as well as compromising the integrity of sport, are closely connected with the activities of organized crime" declares the MEP Roberta Angelilli (Epp) in his question for written answer presented to the Commission, in this regard asks the Honorable Member "Can the commission let us know if it intends to develop a common and coordinated approach to fight against this phenomenon and whether it intends to regulate the duties and professional activities of the sector in order to ensure maximum transparency and protection of consumers, especially minors; furthermore, can the Commission indicate whether it intends to encourage EU Member States to include the manipulation of meetings in their national criminal law and to provide for common minimum penalties; and finally, whether it intends to establish cooperation with third countries (the 'Asian betting havens') aimed at combating organized crime associated with match manipulation?
Below is the full text of the question.
“The numerous cases of match-fixing and illegal betting, as well as compromising the integrity of sport, are closely connected with the activities of organized crime. Europol indicates 680 consignments considered suspicious worldwide in recent years, of which 380 in Europe, managed by a real criminal network, and it would be only the "tip of the iceberg". This phenomenon, which is difficult to control, is capable of affecting all sporting disciplines and no institution, nation or organization alone is capable of countering it. The European Parliament raised the issue and solicited responses in its resolutions of March 2013 on 'match-fixing and corruption in sport' and of October 2013 on 'organised crime, corruption and money laundering', also approving, in the budget 2014, a pilot project entitled "Public-private cooperation mechanisms to identify sports betting risks".
Furthermore, in another question it was underlined - taking up the Community jurisprudence - how important in this context is the professional recognition of the figure of the CTD operator (data transmission centre), as a guarantee of security and transparency towards consumers and citizens.
In the light of the above, can the Commission say:
1. If it intends to develop a common and coordinated approach to combat this phenomenon, involving the main interlocutors (sports organisations, police forces, judicial authorities, gaming operators);
2. How it intends to regulate the duties and professional activities of the sector in order to ensure maximum transparency and consumer protection, especially minors;
3. Will you encourage EU Member States to include match manipulation in their national criminal law and to provide for common minimum penalties?
4. Whether it intends to establish cooperation with third countries (the 'Asian betting havens') aimed at combating organized crime associated with match manipulation?
