In 2016, the Norwegian Gaming Authority set up a national unit tasked with mapping, preventing and counteracting the manipulation of sports results and match fixing in Norway. The national match fixing unit shall coordinate the work and serve as an information centre in this field.
If you know about cases of match fixing or manipulation of results, you can notify us. You can tip us off anonymously if you want.
What is match fixing?
Match fixing comprises all forms of manipulation of sports results. It can include
paying an opponent to fix a competition to achieve the desired result
manipulating results for one’s own gain. The purpose is to make money by placing bets with a betting company
losing a match on purpose to face an easier opponent in the next match
The National Action Plan against Match Fixing in Sport is a collaboration between the authorities, sports associations and clubs, and betting companies. The Action Plan defines match fixing as follows:
“Manipulation of a sporting competition where the actors involved (athletes, trainers, managers, referees etc.) seek to manipulate the outcome of the competition or a single aspect of the competition for financial gain for themselves or others.”
What is prohibited?
Match fixing can be roughly divided into three categories:
Traditional manipulation of the final outcome. A team or individual is paid to lose.
Manipulation of a particular event during a competition that does not necessarily influence the outcome. For example the first throw-in or corner (spot-fixing).
Manipulation of the final result but not the outcome of the match. For example that players are paid to let in a minimum number of goals (point-shaving).
What is permitted?
Many sports have distinctive characteristics and traditions for organising competitions that do not constitute match fixing. For example, athletes or teams are allowed to save their strength based on a tactical assessment. The fundamental values on which sport is based are therefore important guiding principles. This is closely linked to good training of managers and athletes.
Risk and punishment
A chance to make easy money can be tempting, but it may have serious consequences for the parties involved and for the sport as a whole:
Manipulation of sports results constitutes corruption and can lead to imprisonment.
The offence is liable to fines and may lead to the offender being banned or suspended from the sport.
It can ruin the offender’s career.
It can lead to negative media coverage for the offender.
It can make the offender vulnerable to pressure from criminal groups.
Section 11-20 of the Act relating to the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (Norwegian language only) contains special provisions on the manipulation of sport competitions. It is a criminal offence not to report cases of such manipulation.
The Norwegian Football Association (NFF) has separate rules for players, coaches and referees. Among other things, they are subject to a duty of notification and a limitation of their right to bet on matches.