Combating the manipulation of sports competitions: the Belgian framework
Publication · March 19, 2026
The manipulation of sports competitions, commonly referred to as match-fixing, covers conduct intended to alter irregularly the course or outcome of a competition, often in connection with betting. The phenomenon lies at the crossroads of several areas of law: criminal law, gambling regulation, sporting disciplinary law and international cooperation. In Belgium, the legal response combines general criminal offences, a betting-regulation framework and coordination mechanisms. The applicable classifications must be assessed case by case, in the light of the specific facts and the evidence gathered.
At international level, the reference is the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, known as the Macolin Convention (CETS No. 215), opened for signature in 2014. It aims to prevent, detect and sanction the manipulation of competitions and to strengthen cooperation between public authorities, sports organisations and betting operators. Having entered into force internationally on 1 September 2019, it notably proposes a harmonised definition of manipulation and calls for the establishment of national platforms. Its contribution lies above all in coordination and the exchange of information between stakeholders.
Belgium is a party to the Macolin Convention. According to Council of Europe information, the instrument of ratification was deposited in 2024 and the Convention entered into force for Belgium shortly thereafter. This ratification confirms the country’s commitment to situating its action within the European framework for combating competition manipulation. The precise date of entry into force for Belgium should be verified on the Council of Europe website, which keeps the status of signatures and ratifications up to date.
On the criminal side, Belgium can rely on several ordinary-law offences to punish acts of manipulation, depending on their configuration: corruption, in particular private corruption, fraud, forgery, breach of trust, and, where appropriate, criminal conspiracy or criminal organisation and money laundering. High-profile cases in Belgian football thus gave rise to prosecutions based on private corruption, money laundering and criminal organisation. The choice and combination of classifications depend closely on the facts; the existence and exact title of any specific legislation must be verified against official sources before any assertion.
The betting dimension is central, since manipulation is frequently motivated by gains on the sports-betting market. In Belgium, the organisation of games of chance and betting is governed by gambling legislation and placed under the supervision of the Gaming Commission. This regulation pursues objectives of player protection, fraud prevention and operator control. It constitutes an important lever for detection, notably through the monitoring of atypical betting flows, subject to the respective competences of the authorities concerned.
Operational coordination rests on a national platform bringing together the federal and community authorities, the police and judicial services, the gambling regulator, the National Lottery and the sports movement. Conceived in the spirit of the Macolin Convention, this platform facilitates the exchange of information, the reporting of suspect cases and the harmonisation of responses. Reporting channels exist for stakeholders faced with suspicious approaches or conduct. This arrangement illustrates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, combining prevention, detection and enforcement.
Prevention and integrity complement the enforcement dimension. Sports federations have their own disciplinary regulations, which may apply independently of the outcome of criminal proceedings, subject to respect for the rights of the defence. Raising awareness among athletes, support staff and officials, managing conflicts of interest and handling betting data all contribute to a culture of integrity. Stakeholders confronted with a suspicion of manipulation would be well advised to document the facts precisely and to seek appropriate advice, since the legal classification and possible consequences must be examined case by case.