On the road
During recent months, the OM Unit PMC has taken part in meetings and advocacy initiatives of governmental, intergovernmental and private stakeholders, contributing actively to cross-sector efforts to fight competition manipulation.
Follow-up Committee on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions
On 22 May, the OM Unit PMC took part in the 10th meeting of the Follow-up Committee on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions - the monitoring body of the Council of Europe’s Macolin Convention. This Convention is a legal instrument and the only rule of international law on the manipulation of sports competitions.
Key discussion points at the meeting, which was held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, included:
- Information-sharing and data protection – devising channels that balance investigative needs with data protection safeguards.
- Reasonable betting offers – refining criteria to curb high-risk markets without stifling legitimate wagers.
- Illegal operator typology – mapping the spectrum of unlicensed or rogue bookmakers to aid enforcement.
- Anti-money laundering – tailoring procedures to the unique risks of sports betting.
The Committee also exchanged on recent national and international developments, the regulatory frameworks of sports governing bodies, and emerging priorities—most notably the prevention of athletes’ betting addiction as a tool to prevent competition manipulation. Read more.
During the meeting, the OM Unit PMC, representing the Olympic Movement, provided key updates on the work of the Unit, its recent activities and its plans for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. The meeting offered the opportunity to exchange about Games-related activities with other organisations attending and thus avoid duplications. Nicolas Sayde, the Macolin Convention Secretary, said: “It is always a pleasure to have the OM Unit PMC in the room, contributing with constructive and much appreciated input, suggestions and directions in all relevant discussions.”
Group of Copenhagen
The IOC was similarly represented at the 8th meeting of the Group of Copenhagen - the international network of national platforms combatting sports competition manipulation - on 19 and 20 June in Paris, France. An open session brought together experts, regulators, judicial authorities, representatives of the betting industry and investigative journalists to discuss the financial challenges associated with match-fixing. The setting-up of a working group on artificial intelligence and sports manipulation was also discussed. Read more.
UNODC event: Safeguarding Sport in Mexico
The OM Unit PMC also supported an UNODC event in Mexico, on the theme of “Safeguarding Sport in Mexico”. The event was well attended by a wide range of stakeholders from national level, including sports, state authorities, prosecutors and academics. The Mexican NOC was also present. The OM Unit PMC gave a presentation on the regulatory framework set out by the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions.
2025 International Gaming Summit
The 2025 International Gaming Summit, organised by the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) on 13 and 14 June in Berlin, Germany, provided the OM Unit PMC with the opportunity to present the Unit's activities in the field of intelligence to a wide audience of gambling regulators, and to reiterate the relevant rules and call for enhanced cooperation with betting regulatory authorities, in particular in terms of sharing of account-based information.
Working with the betting sector remains an important priority for the Unit. In early September, a high-level meeting took place with ULIS, the association of world-wide lotteries for sports integrity. Likewise, on 18 September the Unit participated in an event organised by IBIA, the integrity association of private sports betting operators, for its members in Lisbon.
UEFA Working Group
On 15 July, the OM Unit PMC joined other key organisations, such as INTERPOL, EUROPOL and the Council of Europe, at the annual European Football Anti-Match-Fixing Working Group meeting organised by UEFA in Nyon. This year, the meeting took place in the context of the Women’s EURO 2025. The Unit also presented updates on its work and submitted key proposals for the future.