Following the announcement of the entry into force of the Council of Europe's Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions - commonly known as the 'Macolin Convention' - the EMHF has issued a statement (see below) in support of it and its principles. The Macolin Convention can be read at https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=09000016801cdd7e
EMHF SUPPORTS COUNCIL OF EUROPE CONVENTION ON THE MANIPULATION OF SPORTS COMPETITIONS
The European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF), whose members are the National governing bodies for Thoroughbred horseracing (flat and jump racing) of the 27 member countries in our region, welcomes the Council of Europe’s announcement that its Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions (known as the Macolin Convention) will enter into force on September 1st, 2019.
The EMHF is firmly committed to the integrity of the sport, including the fair and proper running of all horse races.
Horseracing has a long-established and uniquely symbiotic relationship with the regulated gambling industry, with which we share a desire for the results of all races to be fair. Any lack of confidence among the betting public in the integrity of race results depresses the propensity to bet, to the detriment of both the horseracing and the regulated betting sectors.
Although horseracing is not legally considered a sport in some European countries, the EMHF supports the Macolin Convention in its aims of tackling match-fixing, the use of gambling for money-laundering, gambling addiction, etc.
The EMHF looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to the process of implementation of the Macolin Convention.