Integrity in Sport- current status and what it means for you

Facilitated by Sport and recreation Services

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.

National Integrity of Sport Unit

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Criminal Code (Cheating at Gambling) Amendment Bill 2013

ACT Match-Fixing laws

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

The New Offences

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

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

Contact

• ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate:

– victor.martin@act.gov.au

ACT Gambling and Racing Commission

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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;

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.