Manipulation of high-performance sports competitions means any intentional action or omission aimed at influencing the course or result of high-performance sports competitions, in order to wholly or partially remove the unpredictability of these sports competitions and thus grant oneself or others an undue advantage.
Manipulation in sport and manipulation of sporting competitions – a threat to modern sport. The increasing commercialisation of sport influences the supply of legal and illegal betting related to sports events, incidents in sporting competitions and/or their results, while the financial insecurity of sports organisations and athletes, in many cases, are the primary reasons for the prevalence of match-fixing worldwide, including in Lithuania.
Based on 2021 data, match-fixing bets generated approximately €165 million in profit per year. Overall, corruption in betting can also finance other criminal activities, such as money laundering.
„According to Sportradar, 1,116 suspicious matches were identified globally in 2025, across 70 sports.
Match-fixing is latent and often sports organisations and those involved are not interested in publicising match-fixing as it can damage their image and reputation and may result in a loss of support from sponsors, municipalities, individuals and legal entities.
Match-fixing can be related to betting or not.
- The main objective of betting-related match manipulation is to indirectly gain economic benefit from sport through betting activities. To gain a benefit, a specific outcome is agreed upon. Betting-related match manipulation is not limited to attempts to influence the final outcome of a match, but can also involve other minor and insignificant events during the match, which are often referred to as spotFor example, a conscious invalid attempt or a consensus of results in a selection competition, etc.
- To gain an advantage in betting can be used internal information. Inside information – information relating to a competition obtained by a person due to their position or activity as a specialist in the sport or competition concerned, other than any information which has already been published or is public knowledge, is easily accessible to interested members of the public, or is disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the competition concerned. This information may be used for betting purposes.
- Artificial defeatTanking) – a way to gain an unfair sporting advantage in competition. For example, when athletes deliberately lose in order to compete against weaker opponents in later stages of competition; when a strategy is pre-approved to win just enough competitions to achieve a desired goal; when losing a competition is a form of settling a score with an opponent, awarding victory for a benefit received from them, and so on.
It must be mentioned that Sports betting is not a negative activity. Problems only arise when athletes, coaches, other sports personnel, or competition organisers bet on their sport, or even worse – when competitions are manipulated for the purpose of such bets.
The convention is intended for sports organisations, which should implement good governance principles in sport, actively carry out educational and preventative activities, disseminate information, and promote a „zero tolerance“ approach. Sports organisations should establish high ethical standards, not only in their operational documents and codes of ethics, but also by actually applying these principles in their activities, assessing situations of match manipulation when necessary, and imposing sanctions for participation in agreements concerning the course and/or results of sports competitions.
We recommend to sports organisations:
1. To approve or, if necessary, update the code of ethics and conduct, which shall provide for:
- betting on the manipulation of sports competitions;
- procedure for investigating cases of possible manipulation of sports competitions;
- (Sporting) disciplinary liability for match manipulation;
- insurance against betting on oneself and one's close relations (e.g.: family members or teammates);
- A prohibition on disclosing and providing any information about competitions for betting or other manipulative purposes;
- Prohibition of sharing or disseminating internal information;
- The obligation to disclose information relating to potential sports manipulation;
- carry out preventive activities to prevent the manipulation of sports results.
2. Appoint a dedicated integrity officer responsible for the prevention of competition manipulation.
3. Encourage athletes and other individuals to report potential sports manipulations. Periodically remind them where and how they can report such matters. If possible, create a dedicated reporting and information channel for your sports organisation; if not, use the Anti-Doping Agency's confidential helpline and other reporting channels.
4. Create a clear operating model upon receiving a notification of potential manipulation, which shall include:
- co-operation with the Agency at all stages of the investigation into any possible manipulation;
- Information on channels for reporting potential infringements. For example: Information about a possible infringement can be obtained by telephone, in writing (by email or letter), the information can be published in the public media, etc.;
- response to information regarding potential sports manipulation cases, the investigation of this information;
- decision to impose sanctions.
It is recommended that sports organisations, taking into account the riskiness of the sport, approve a plan of preventive measures against the manipulation of sports competitions within the sports organisation. (downloadable). Each organisation should assess which measures are essential for their sport., e.g. in a sport in which betting-related manipulation of sports competition results is unlikely, the action plan may provide for information and education measures only.
Be honest – do not manipulate sporting competitions, play and compete fairly. Even if you believe that sports manipulation and the manipulation of sporting competitions will not harm their predictability and fairness, it could jeopardise your career as an athlete. Disciplinary and even criminal liability may be imposed on an athlete who has acted unfairly. Always say „no“ to the manipulation of sporting competitions. Remember, your behaviour sets an example for other athletes, especially young ones.
Be wise – know the rules of sports competitions and remember the requirements and prohibitions set out in your sports activity contracts. You cannot bet on the results of predetermined competitions.
Be careful – Under no circumstances should you disclose confidential information that is available to you. For example, do not provide information to third parties about your own or other players' undisclosed or unannounced injuries, or chosen competition tactics. Such information is usually prohibited from disclosure by contracts and the rules and regulations of sports organisations. Publishing such non-public information may lead to legal consequences.
Be open – if you are offered to organise and participate in the manipulation of sports competitions, to provide non-public information, if you find out that others are participating in the manipulation of sports competitions, immediately report it to the responsible persons of your sports federation or the Lithuanian Anti-Doping Agency https://antidopingas.lt/lt/pranesimas-apie-pazeidima/. This is the best way to protect yourself and sport from various threats and risks, including match-fixing.
Lithuanian Republic Law on Games of Chance, Article 102 the article provides for additional restrictions related to the prohibition of participating in betting and/or pools:
- Individuals are prohibited from participating in betting (including remote betting) where bets are placed on betting events, in which they themselves are involved or can themselves influence the outcome of the bet; and also concerning events in which their close relatives or family members are involved, or where these persons can influence the outcome of a bet.
- Individuals are prohibited from participating in the totaliser (including remote betting totalisers) where they are placing bets on sporting events., curiously they participate themselves, their family members or close relatives, of the result.
For this article and other violations of the gambling organisation procedure, liability is provided for in the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Lithuania:
Administrative liability: Individuals who violate the order of organising gambling (including circumventing restrictions) may be subject to administrative liability provided for in the Code of Administrative Offences (ANK), which incurs a fine from one thousand five hundred to four thousand three hundred euros, and for a repeat offence – a fine from four thousand two hundred to six thousand euros. Furthermore, the item used as a tool or object for committing the administrative offence, as well as the income obtained from the commission of the administrative offence, shall be confiscated.
The precise responsibility (fine amount or licence revocation) depends on the nature, duration, and consequences of the infringement, as determined by the Gambling Supervisory Authority or the court.
Criminal liability. Match-fixing can lead to criminal liability – whoever unlawfully influences the fair course or outcome of high-level sporting competitions shall be punished by a fine, community service, arrest, or imprisonment for up to four years. Legal persons are also liable for match-fixing.
In all cases, for a breach of the code of ethics and discipline, an athlete, coach, judge, and any other natural and/or legal person associated with the sports organisation may incur disciplinary (sports) liability with additional sanctions, i.e., a warning, fine, disqualification, withdrawal of awards (prizes, titles, bonuses), and a prohibition from participating in certain or all activities related to the sports organisation.
On 18 September 2014, Lithuania signed Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions. The Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions requires its States Parties to establish a national platform for collecting, analysing, and sharing information related to infringements at a national level, coordinating action against the manipulation of sports competitions, and collaborating with similar national platforms in other States.
On 15 November 2022, by Order No. V-1789 of the Minister of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania „Amendment to the Order of the Minister of Education, Science and Sport of 23 April 2020 No. V-606 „On the Approval of the Articles of Association of the Public Institution Lithuanian Anti-Doping Agency““The Lithuanian Anti-Doping Agency is tasked with performing the functions of the coordinator for combating the manipulation of sports competitions in Lithuania.
The process of smooth, efficient information exchange between institutions in Lithuania is ensured by a cooperation agreement signed in 2015 between the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, the Ministry of the Interior, the Police Department, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Gambling Supervision Service, the Special Investigation Service, and the Financial Crime Investigation Service. The agency aims to be not only a linking element of inter-institutional cooperation, but its main goal is to assist, advise, and coordinate the activities of law enforcement institutions and sports organisations.
2 April 2025. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania adopted Resolution No. 181 „On the Implementation of the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Sport“.“, which states that the Agency is tasked with coordinating functions for combating the manipulation of high-level sporting competitions.
Questions? Contact us
LITHUANIAN ANTI-DOPING AGENCY
+370 info@antidopingas.lt
Žemaitės g. 6, Vilnius, 03117, Lithuania
