The Legislative Yuan today passed an amendment to the Sport Industry Development Act (運動產業發展條例) setting punishments for those who disrupt the fairness of sporting events and competitions.
The amendment is targeted at preventing gambling in the sports industry, following numerous gambling-related scandals in Taiwan’s past.
As those involved in gambling are currently only handled according to provisions of the Criminal Code, there is a risk of unscrupulous individuals contacting and bribing players to influence the results of sports competitions.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
The amendment stipulates that anyone who disrupts the fairness of sporting events through violence, threats, deception, bribery or other illegal means shall be sentenced to one to seven years imprisonment and fined from NT$10 million to NT$30 million (US$307,754 to US$923,176).
If the crime causes death, offenders shall be sentenced to seven years to life imprisonment.
If the crime results in serious injury, has the intent to profit or is committed by three or more people, offenders shall be sentenced to three to 10 years imprisonment and fined from NT$20 million to NT$50 million.
The amendment specifies that sporting events include professional sporting competitions organized by professional sports leagues, corporate leagues organized by specific sports organizations and other major events related to the development of the sports industry as announced by the central government.
The amendment stipulates that the central government should formulate and promote policies to prevent sports gambling and strengthen legal education for personnel in the sports sector.
The central government should also help professional and amateur sports organizations to prevent gambling and educate about the law.
The amendment also stipulates that the central government should assist in the establishment of athletes’ unions or groups to promote the development of professional and amateur sports.
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