Sport brings people together. At its best, it contributes to their health and happiness, breaking down barriers and building trust and community spirit. For over five decades, the Council of Europe has advocated fair play and respect in sport, tackling corruption and helping make sport safe, ethical and accessible to all. This work contributes to the creation of inclusive, democratic societies which respect human rights and the rule of law – the Council of Europe’s raison d’être.

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Back 12th Macolin Follow-Up Committee Meeting: drawing the lines to protect sport

12th Macolin Follow-Up Committee Meeting: drawing the lines to protect sport

The Follow-up Committee to the Macolin Convention (T-MC) held its 12th meeting on 4 June 2026 at the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne. Around the table: the States Parties and observers from the worlds of sport and sports betting.

As the meeting's main outcome, the Committee approved the publication of three sets of guidelines, which will help States and regulators to:

Participants also discussed the cross-checking of data: comparing lists of sportspeople with operators' records makes it possible to identify those who bet on their own sport, a prohibited practice. An effective tool, provided data protection rules are strictly observed.

Another key topic addressed: regulating the collection and sale of sports data, to prevent it from fuelling illegal betting and the manipulation of competitions.

Finally, the Committee took stock of the ongoing evaluations of Portugal and the Republic of Moldova.

On the agenda for the coming months: promoting the Convention to new States, continuing the national evaluations, and launching a working group on the use of artificial intelligence against illegal betting sites.

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Lausanne, Switzerland 4 June 2026
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