iGaming Business – Brian Wright, director of the Remote Gambling Association, has told iGaming Business that the only way of tackling match-fixing in sport is for public authorities, betting operators and sporting organisations to collaborate on a “concerted and coordinated” effort.
Following a spate of recent high-profile allegations of match-fixing in sport, Wright said that the fight against such corruption should focus on the key areas of “education, prevention and good governance, monitoring, sanctions, cooperation and international coordination”.
He added: “The global scale of match-fixing requires enhanced coordination of all the efforts undertaken by the relevant parties at both European and international level.
“Initiatives should target all participants in the field of sport, including athletes, their entourage, referees, match officials, supporters and management. Cooperation among all the interested parties, including public authorities, law enforcement agencies, sport stakeholders and betting operators should be reinforced.
“Dissuasive, effective and proportionate sanctions, including criminal and disciplinary sanctions, should be in place and enforced in match-fixing cases.
“Efficient monitoring and detection mechanisms, such as those used by the European Sports Security Association, should be further developed and sharing of relevant information among stakeholders outside the licensed betting industry should be improved.”
Wright’s comments come after Singapore police confirmed today (Thursday) that 14 people had been arrested on suspicion of being involved in a match-fixing syndicate.
Earlier this week, former world No.5 snooker player Stephen Lee was found guilty of match-fixing and spot-fixing in seven matches between 2008 and 2009 by an independent tribunal.
Leading snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan reacted to the news by saying on his Twitter account that he believed there are “many more players who throw snooker matches… [and] plenty of people have got loads to hide.”
An investigation into possible match-fixing is also taking place in Australia, where Victoria Police have referred allegations relating to the Albany Creek Excelsior Football Club to Queensland Police. On Sunday, six men were charged after a police probe into the Melbourne-based Southern Stars club.
