iGaming Business – Nigel Mawer, chairman of the disciplinary committee of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), has said that snooker authorities must monitor betting markets if they are to curb match-fixing in the sport.
Speaking to the Reuters news agency, former Scotland Yard detective Mawer said that the approach was “crucial” to keeping track of such activities.
“The point for me is if you are going to fix a match, normally it’s for people to win money by betting,” he said. “So it’s crucial that we can monitor betting markets worldwide. It gives us the opportunity to investigate.”
Mawer also said that building good relationships with the gambling industry and the UK Gambling Commission would help to fight the problem.
“What that does mean is that often I will know if there’s a movement in the betting market before a match is even being played,” he said. “That’s very useful because it gives us a chance at early intervention.”
Match-fixing in snooker came to light recently when former world No.5 Stephen Lee was given a 12-year ban in relation to corruption in seven matches between 2008 and 2009.
“The Stephen Lee case has sent shockwaves across snooker, but it helps players who have to make a decision if they have an approach,” Mawer added.
