Legislative Yuan passes match-fixing bill

Staff writer, with CNA

The legislature yesterday passed a bill that levies severe punishments on anyone caught disrupting the fairness of sporting competitions or events through match-fixing, including a maximum jail sentence of seven years.

The amendment to the Sport Industry Development Act (運動產業發展條例) focuses on two main areas — the strengthening of measures against match-fixing in professional and amateur sports, and requiring the government to assist athletes establish unions.

As part of efforts to promote fairness in sports, the competent authorities are to formulate policies to mitigate the harm associated with gambling, and provide athletes with education on related legal provisions.

At present, those suspected of placing bets on games outside of the Taiwan Sports Lottery are investigated under the Criminal Code as the sports development act did not previously contain provisions on the subject prior to the amendment.

The lottery, run by Taiwan Sports Lottery Co, was first introduced in 2008 and provides a legal betting channel for the public.

With the passing of the amendment, anyone who uses violence, coercion, fraud, inducement or other illegal means to interfere with the fairness of sports competitions would be subject to a jail term ranging from one year to seven years, and could also be fined up to NT$30 million (US$922,850).

If committing such actions result in the death of a victim, a seven-year jail sentence or life imprisonment can be levied on the perpetrator, who could also be fined up to NT$50 million.

According to the amendment, people who seek to profit by engaging in the above-mentioned actions together with three or more accomplices can be sentenced between three and 10 years in jail, and fined up to NT$50 million.

The amendment also stipulates that the government would assist athletes to establish unions so as to improve the development of the nation’s professional and amateur sports industry.