The Canadian sports industry is facing a potential crisis due to the lack of explicit match-fixing laws in the country. Industry experts, including Declan Hill, have warned of a “ticking bomb” in Canadian sports betting, as there are zero laws explicitly banning match-fixing in Canada. While the US has faced betting scandals and implemented anti-match-fixing laws, Canada remains vulnerable to manipulation and corruption in sports.
Hill, an associate professor at the University of New Haven and a global expert on match-fixing, highlighted the lack of legal consequences for individuals involved in match-fixing activities in Canada. He pointed out that banned NBA star Jontay Porter’s actions are not technically illegal in the country. A 2023 white paper by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and McLaren Global Sports Solutions (MGSS) also raised concerns about the potential impact of match-fixing on Canadian pro leagues, players, and coaches.
According to reports, there have been suspicious odds fluctuations in sports matches worldwide, including in Canada, Russia, China, Brazil, and the US. Hill led an investigative team that identified these anomalies, indicating a high risk of match-fixing across various sports such as basketball, tennis, cricket, volleyball, and table tennis. Without solid national laws on match-fixing, Canada could be heading towards a major sports betting scandal involving point-shaving, according to Danielle M. Bush, Senior Counsel at McCarthy Tétrault.
Bush advocated for the implementation of UK-like match-fixing laws in Canada to prevent potential scandals and protect the integrity of sports. The recent bust of an online sports betting operation in the Toronto area, allegedly run by a Hells Angels enforcer, further underscored the presence of organized crime in sports betting in Canada. In July, the Canadian Football League suspended a player for betting on games in which he played, highlighting the risks associated with gambling in professional sports.
Leigh Steinberg, a sports super-agent, emphasized the importance of maintaining the credibility of sports to prevent fans from turning away due to suspicions of match-fixing or scripted outcomes. The CCES has called on the Canadian government to sign the Macolin Convention, which aims to combat match-fixing through detection, prevention, and punishment of individuals involved in manipulating sports games.
In conclusion, the lack of explicit match-fixing laws in Canada poses a significant threat to the integrity of sports in the country. Industry experts and organizations are urging the government to take action to prevent potential scandals and protect the credibility of Canadian pro leagues. By implementing strict anti-match-fixing laws and signing international conventions, Canada can safeguard its sports industry from corruption and manipulation.