1. Integrity in Sport- current status
and what it means for you
Facilitated by Sport and recreation
Services

2. Overview
• The presentations will include the role of the
National Integrity in Sport Unit, information
around national policy and legislation on
match fixing and the role of local
organisations in protecting the integrity of
sport.

3. National Integrity of Sport Unit

4. Why is match-fixing a problem for sport?
• Series of well publicised match-fixing incidents – both domestic
and international
• National sporting organisations were asking for assistance on
perceived match-fixing risks
• State and Territory Governments indicated support for a
national action plan
• Increasing international resolve to tackle match-fixing

5. Increasing risk of match-fixing in sport
• The pre-conditions for illegal gambling activity are already well
established
• Evidence of criminal organisations are grooming players, officials
and clubs
• The money being wagered on sports is vast – last year alone
$3.3 billion was gambled on sport
• Gambling on sport is the fastest growing form of gambling –
growing at 14% last year

6. Establishment and functions of the NISU
• Establishment of the National Integrity of Sport Unit (NISU) was
a Commonwealth commitment under the National Policy on
Match-Fixing in Sport.
• The NISU was formally established on 9 October 2012.
• The initial work program of the NISU was to:
•oversee implementation of the National Policy including
introduction of criminal offences for match-fixing and Sports
Betting Model across all jurisdictions
•develop a Code of Conduct and National Policy for use by national
sporting organisations, and
•establish a website with access to education and integrity tools.

7. Expanded Role for the NISU
• Following release of the ACC’s Project Aperio, the
Commonwealth provided further funding to expand the
capability of the NISU.
• Funding provides for an expansion in capability of the NISU to
include more proactive integrity threat identification, and
assessment.
• The expanded NISU will deliver advisory services on integrity
issues for sport and government.
• The NISU has also established the Australian Sports Integrity
Network to facilitate information exchange between sports.

8. Proposed functions of an expanded NISU
• Work with sports to establish integrity units
• Network integrity units and ASADA
• Develop protocols around sports science
• Develop resources (education programs, codes of conduct)
• Undertake proactive integrity threat identification
• Ensure greater international liaison

9. Creating and maintaining a culture of integrity
Lifecycle of Sport Integrity
prevention
•education for athletes/officials
•building NSO integrity units
•protocols for prevention
maintenance
• national leadership
• consistency across governments
• networked sport integrity units
• liaise with law enforcement
• international liaison
assessment
•triage / pre-investigation work
•risk assessments
•gather, hold, share information
•referral to relevant agencies
• Match-fixing and betting in sport
• Illicit drugs, substance abuse
• Unethical behaviour
• Links between sports and criminal
element
Scope of NISU

10. Impact on ACT sport & recreation sector
• Need to be aware of implications on your organisations as the
ACT government gives effect to the National Match-fixing Policy
through legislation.
• Need to be aware of initiatives and policies being put in place by
national sporting organisations.
• Need to be aware of flow on effects of any new requirements on
state and local sporting associations.
• Need to liaise with national sporting organisations and the NISU
on any sport integrity issues on an ongoing basis.

12. Criminal Code (Cheating at
Gambling) Amendment Bill 2013
ACT Match-Fixing laws

13. National Policy on Match-Fixing in
Sport
• In June 2011, all Sports Ministers committed
to the National Policy on Match-Fixing in
Sport, and agreed that all Australian
governments would pursue a consistent
approach to criminal offences and penalties
for match-fixing activities.

14. SCLJ Match-Fixing Working Group
• The Standing Council on Law and Justice
subsequently established a Match-Fixing
Working Group on 21 July 2011.
• This Working Group developed a list of six
Match-Fixing Behaviours to assist jurisdictions
in determining whether their legislation was
appropriate to deal with the risk of match-
fixing

15. NSWLRC Report
• The New South Wales Law Reform
Commission Report Cheating at Gambling was
published in August 2011.
• This report highlighted the gaps in New South
Wales law in relation to match-fixing, and
provided draft laws to address these gaps.

16. ACC Report
• In February 2013, the Australian Crime
Commission released a report titled,
Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport.
• This report further highlighted the concern
that organised crime groups were targeting
elite and sub-elite athletes with an aim of
having the athletes participate in match-fixing
activities.

17. ACT Laws
• A scan of ACT legislation has shown that a
number of aspects of the agreed Match-Fixing
Behaviours are currently addressed.
• The scan also revealed potential gaps in
existing criminal laws.

18. The Bill
• The Criminal Code (Cheating at Gambling)
Amendment Bill was introduced by Attorney-
General Simon Corbell into the Legislative
Assembly 6 June 2013.
• The offences in the Bill align the ACT with match-
fixing offences that have been introduced in New
South Wales and South Australia and most
recently, in Victoria.

19. The Bill
• The object of this Bill is to amend the Criminal
Code 2002 (the Code) to prohibit certain
conduct that can corrupt the betting
outcomes of events on which it is lawful to
place bets.
• The offences in the Bill are intended to apply
to events that occur in the ACT or elsewhere.

20. The New Offences
• This Bill inserts three new offences into the
Criminal Code 2002 to criminalise certain
match-fixing behaviours and cheating at
gambling activities.

21. The New Offences
• The new offences will prohibit the following:
– Intentionally corrupting the outcome of a sporting
event for the purpose of receiving a benefit (10
years imprisonment);
– Betting on an event reckless about whether the
outcome has been corrupted (10 years
imprisonment); and
– Betting on an event with inside information about
the event (2 years imprisonment).

22. The New Offences
• The first offence will criminalise a person
engaging in conduct that results in a corrupt
betting outcome for an event, and obtaining a
financial advantage or causing a financial
disadvantage in connection with betting on
the event. The maximum penalty for this
offence is 10 years imprisonment.

23. The New Offences
• The second offence aims to deal with a person
betting with information about a corrupt betting
outcome. The purpose of this provision is to prohibit
a person who possesses corrupt conduct information
from engaging in conduct that results in a bet on an
event, or encourages another person to bet on an
event in a particular way, or communicates
information to another person who the first person
knows, or it is reasonable for them to know, is likely
to bet on the event. The maximum penalty for this
offence is 10 years imprisonment.

24. The New Offences
• The final offence in the Bill relates to betting
with inside information and carries a
maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment.

25. What next?
• Date for debate of the Bill has not yet been set.
• The Scrutiny of Bills Committee will scrutinise the
Bill and report to the Legislative Assembly.
• The Bill and the Explanatory Statement is on the
ACT Legislation Register at:
www.legislation.act.gov.au

26. Contact
• ACT Justice and Community Safety
Directorate:
– victor.martin@act.gov.au

27. ACT Gambling and Racing Commission

28. The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission is a statutory
authority established under the Gambling and Racing Control
Act 1999 to:
•promote consumer protection in relation to gambling;
•minimise the possibility of criminal or unethical behaviour; and
•assist in reducing the risks and costs to the community and
individuals associated with problem gambling.

29. Functions of the Commission
• administer gaming laws, perform functions and exercise powers
given by the relevant legislation;
• regulate gaming in relation to the casino, gaming machines,
lotteries, racing, wagering, ACTTAB and interactive gambling;
• approve gaming and racing activities;
• monitor/research the social effects of gambling/problem
gambling;
• provide education and counselling services;
• undertake gaming related legislative and policy review;
• investigate gaming related issues; and
• collect taxes and fees imposed by gaming legislation.

30. Sports Bookmaking Activity
• national market regulated at a state level, state consistency
important but at the moment is not there.
ACT Regulatory Scheme
• licensing of operators based on probity, suitability, finances and
betting systems;
• rules of operations are specified, including types of activities that
can be wagered on:
 ACT only allows activities that are sanctioned by a recognised
national or peak controlling body, such as the NRL, AFL, FIFA, IOC;
 ACT does not allow junior sports or entertainment activities such as
reality TV shows.

31. Impact of Inter-state Bookmakers
• Northern Territory (NT) is the main Australian jurisdiction providing
sports bookmaking – wagering turnover last year of $57 billion;
• NT provides a light regulatory touch and has different approved
activities and events, such as TV shows including Big Brother,
Survivor and various cooking shows involving elimination of
candidates;
• ACT Gambling and Racing Commission has no direct control or
influence over inter-state bookmaking activity, including what they
are permitted to wager on and what type of wagers are permitted;
• If issues are identified, there may be some room for negotiation
through the Commission or the National Integrity in Sport Unit.

32. Overall Implications for ACT Sporting Bodies
Threats and Risks
• could involve players, coaches, club officials, referees;
• games and results could be manipulated;
• fraud or other unwelcome payments could occur;
• drug use could be encouraged;
• the sport’s reputation could be at risk – implications for
attracting players, spectators, sponsorship.

33. Mitigation of risks
•develop appropriate policies and procedures to deal with any
issues relating to suspected match-fixing:
control access to sensitive (inside) information;
monitor on-field performance in key situations;
deal with any complaints seriously and thoroughly;
•be aware and vigilant in monitoring your sport’s activities.

34. Possible Actions open to ACT Sporting Bodies
• follow your procedures;
• if there has been a breach (or possible breach) of the
legislation, advise the police;
• advise the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission – we may
not have jurisdiction but we can provide advice;
• approach the National Integrity in Sport Unit;

35. Possible Actions (con’t)
• approach the relevant national controlling or peak body:
 more emphasis is being placed on controlling bodies taking
a more active and professional role in the integrity of their
sport;
• approach the regulator in the relevant jurisdiction;
• issues with international wagering on Australian sport is
very difficult, if not impossible, to control or influence.