France Targets Sports Manipulation with Organised Crime Tools

France Targets Sports Manipulation with Organised Crime Tools

France has formally elevated match-fixing to the status of organised crime, granting authorities access to investigative powers previously limited to major criminal cases. The move is part of a wider set of amendments aimed at tackling drug trafficking and financial fraud, reflecting a strategy to align sports integrity with broader criminal enforcement frameworks.

Under the new framework, cases of match manipulation will fall under the jurisdiction of inter-regional specialised courts (JIRS). These courts have a history of handling complex criminal networks and systemic corruption, allowing investigations into match-fixing to benefit from methods and resources typically reserved for high-level offenses.

Among the expanded tools available to authorities are covert surveillance operations, including wiretaps and undercover investigations, alongside extended detention periods before trial. Such measures aim to trace organised schemes to manipulate outcomes in sports events, including horse racing, where betting activity can be a significant factor. The legislation applies to both those actively influencing outcomes and individuals who accept or solicit bribes in the course of competitions.

Legal consequences for individuals found guilty under the new framework include prison sentences of up to ten years and fines of up to €1 million. The law addresses bribery within sports and horse racing events where betting is involved, targeting the full spectrum of actors from participants to external agents seeking to influence results.

The Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ), France's national gambling regulator, continues to play a central role in monitoring betting activity for signs of manipulation. Its systems track odds fluctuations and wagering patterns, enabling the identification of suspicious activity. When credible indications of interference emerge, the regulator can prohibit betting on affected events to mitigate the risk of manipulation.

To support enforcement, the ANJ convenes an anti-match-fixing task force every six weeks, bringing together representatives from regulatory and judicial sectors to review ongoing investigations and coordinate intelligence. The regulator also organizes training for athletes, officials, and public servants, focusing on awareness and detection strategies related to betting-related corruption.

Observers note that the decision to classify match-fixing as organised crime reflects a broader trend in Europe, where governments are increasingly treating sports corruption as a criminal issue rather than a regulatory concern. This shift allows French authorities to pursue complex cases involving international networks and systemic patterns, rather than limiting intervention to isolated instances of misconduct.

The legislative change also emphasizes preventive measures alongside prosecution. Awareness campaigns and targeted training aim to reduce vulnerability to manipulation by fostering a clearer understanding of the risks and the mechanisms used in match-fixing. By combining oversight of betting activity with legal enforcement, the framework seeks to address manipulation at both the structural and individual levels.

Coordination between the ANJ, law enforcement, and the JIRS courts will be crucial in applying the new measures effectively. The capacity to use surveillance, undercover operations, and extended investigative periods positions authorities to uncover patterns and connections that might otherwise remain concealed. Analysts suggest that this multi-layered approach strengthens both the detection of irregularities and the legal response to organised manipulation.

The reclassification also carries implications for the broader sports ecosystem, particularly in competitions where betting markets are significant. By aligning legal enforcement with regulatory monitoring, France is aiming to protect the integrity of competitions and the transparency of related financial activity. This approach may serve as a model for addressing corruption risks in other European countries with similar challenges.

By equating match-fixing with organised crime, France has formalized a response that prioritizes both investigation and prevention. The framework reinforces the role of regulatory oversight while enabling legal authorities to pursue systemic manipulation with the tools required for high-level criminal cases. In doing so, it establishes a structured approach to preserving competition integrity and maintaining public trust in sporting and betting markets.