Taiwan Amends the Sports Industry Development Act to Improve the Sports Industry Environment

On December 13, 2024, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan approved the third reading of an amendment to the “Sports Industry Development Act” (hereinafter the “Act”). This amendment aims to enhance the development environment of Taiwan’s sports industry by promoting gender equality, ensuring fairness in sports competitions, and strengthening the capabilities of athletes’ unions. The key points of this amendment are summarized as follows:

1. Concretely Implementing Gender Equality

Sports teams funded and operated by governments at all levels and government-owned enterprises should ensure that the number of teams follows the principle of gender proportion equality (Article 7-1 of the Act).

2. Supporting Athletes’ Unions or Organizations

To promote the development of both professional and amateur sports, the central competent authority (i.e., the Ministry of Education) should actively assist in forming athletes’ unions or organizations for related events and establish regulations for the guidance, rewards, subsidies, and other relevant matters concerning athletes’ unions or organizations (Article 7-2 of the Act).

3. Strengthening Anti-Gambling Mechanisms in Sports Competitions

To foster the growth of the sports industry, ensure fairness in competitions, and create a safe environment for athletes, this Act imposes strict penalties on individuals who undermine the integrity of professional sports events organized by professional leagues, corporate leagues associated with specific sports organizations, or other major sports competitions. Penalties apply to those who use violence, threats, fraud, inducements, or any other illegal methods. This measure aims to enhance existing anti-gambling mechanisms and address gaps in gambling prevention related to major sports events not covered by Taiwan’s sports lottery betting. Furthermore, the central competent authority should develop and promote policies to prevent and control sports gambling. This includes assisting professional and amateur athlete organizations in establishing trust fund mechanisms to prevent and manage sports gambling and providing legal education.