Match fixers face 10 years in jail under NSW laws

Match fixing or corrupting the betting outcome of a sporting event will be punishable by up to 10 years in jail in NSW under proposed new laws on cheating in sports gambling.
NSW will be the first Australian jurisdiction to enact the laws, amid calls for State and Federal governments to toughen their oversight of sport following a string of recent match and race fixing allegations.
Introducing the legislation, NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, Graham Annesley stated "there is no bigger threat to the integrity of sport than match-fixing and this legislation will ensure anyone involved in the industry is sent a very strong message about the risks and consequences.
"Sport is big business these days and it would be naive of any government to think sport is immune to corrupt conduct.
"NSW is setting the benchmark and will ensure anyone convicted will face severe penalties."
The proposed Crimes Amendment (Cheating at Gambling) Bill 2012 will see a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment for anyone found to have engaged in or facilitated conduct that corrupts the outcome of an event.
The laws, to be introduced to the NSW Parliament shortly, will cover "match-fixing behaviours" agreed by a standing committee of federal, state and territory attorneys-general in November. They will apply to anyone who intentionally fixes or influences the outcome of a sporting event for financial benefit, including bookmakers, officials, players and jockeys.
NSW Minister for Hospitality and Racing, George Souris added "these reforms are essential for a safe, transparent and legitimate market in sports and racing betting.
"Quite simply, cheating at any level undermines public confidence and the NSW Government and the Racing Industry is absolutely committed to making certain the reputation of sport and racing in this state remains intact."
Other behaviours guiding the legislation include use of insider information, accepting or offering a bribe or other benefit and bookies taking bets on an event they know has been fixed.
The legislation responds to the recommendations of a NSW Law Reform Commission report on match fixing tabled in Parliament a year ago by the Attorney-General, Greg Smith.
The report was commissioned by the former Labor government following a scandal over a betting plunge on a rugby league match between Canterbury and North Queensland in 2010.
It found sports betting has become a large industry in Australia and it was "essential" appropriate criminal offences be in place to combat cheating and corruption.
Minister Annesley concluded "the new legislation will be the linchpin of a national approach to ensuring the integrity of sport is protected."