ABSTRACT
Match-fixing has been a scourge in sport from the earliest days of organized competition. The implications of match-fixing are extensive, and a multitude of legal strategies have been applied in response. There is an enduring question as to how and to what extent the law should involve itself with the regulation of sport. The regulation of on-field (e.g., arena, rink) activity has traditionally been viewed as the domain of sport organizations. However, match-fixing is one of a few areas where external authorities have long been involved. The ties between match-fixing and organized crime are such that manipulating sporting outcomes is rarely an incident that affects sport alone. The rise in global match-fixing has brought with it differing legal strategies to combat the practice. Some nation-states have chosen to pass legislation directly targeting match-fixing, while other countries have defaulted to existing legislation that prohibits crimes like fraud or corruption. One of the challenges in arresting the spread of match-fixing has been crafting laws that incentivize cooperation in investigations because victims often fear harm in association with their giving assistance. Overall, match-fixing is a complex threat to sport integrity with numerous barriers ensuring that the quest for legal remedy remains elusive.
