Preventing corruption in sport
Tuesday, 9 November, 2010
The Federal and State Governments need to overhaul gambling laws to help prevent
corruption in sport, the President of the Law Society of NSW, Mary Macken, said today.
Ms Macken said it was time to introduce a nationally consistent regulatory and legislative
framework that kept up to speed with recent changes in gambling technology.
On the day of the Law Society of NSW’s Sports Law Conference in Sydney, Ms Macken
said legislative changes on a national level were required to preserve the integrity of
Australian sport and combat match-fixing.
“Regulation rather than prohibition is the key to preventing corruption in sport,” she said.
“We need a national framework that regulates all forms of sports betting as well as
tougher sanctions for the match-fixers and a national body that has the power to
investigate illegal activities,” she said.
“The rapid emergence of online technologies has increased the volume of sports betting
and the ways in which people can bet. But it has also made it more difficult to monitor
and police.
“Of particular concern is the ‘exotic wagering on micro outcomes’ and the threat it
imposes to the integrity of sport.”
Ms Macken said legislation introduced in the UK in 2005 could provide the Federal
Government with an appropriate model for updating the Interactive Gambling Act (2001).
Ms Macken also said she supported the Australian Olympic Committee’s (AOC)
introduction of strict rules in its Team Agreements, banning athletes, coaches and
officials from betting during an Olympic event.
“But this should be extended to cover all major sports in Australia.”
A report on tackling illegal gambling will be released later this month by the Coalition of
Major Sports (COMPS) –
rugby league, rugby union, AFL, netball, tennis, football and
cricket.
The Sports Law Conference will feature a keynote address by The Hon. John Fahey AC.
President, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Media contact - Kai Ianssen: 02 9926 0288 or 0413 440 699.
NEWS 
