Lone-Wolf Match-Fixing: Global Policy Considerations

Abstract

The rise of reported instances of match-fixing in sport is staggering. Match-fixing has been called one of the most serious threats to the integrity of sport. Absent from the literature on match-fixing is attention to the concept of lone-wolf match-fixing. While multi-party organised match-fixing presents a substantial threat to sport, sport may face an even greater threat from lone-wolf match-fixing, where the fixer perpetrates the attack in the absence of communication with others. Using doctrinal legal research methods and statutory interpretation, we examine select European, North American, Oceanic and Asian legal frameworks for preventing match-fixing. We conclude that sport faces a very real threat from inadequate statutory protection, with lone-wolf match-fixing likely being permissible in certain jurisdictions. Given this legal gap, numerous countries are unprepared to combat individually motivated match-fixers seeking to manipulate sporting events.

Keywords: Match-fixing, corruption of sport, statutory interpretation, sport policy, sport integrity

JEL Classification: K00, K10, K14, K33, K40, K49, L50, L59, L63, L80, L83, L86, L89, O34