【bookmaker melbet】AFL admits to poor oversight of potential match

According to an exclusive report by The Guardian, the AFL has highlighted significant deficiencies in detecting and preventing betting-related misconduct and potential match-fixing.

The league has acknowledged that it struggles to identify whether players, coaches, and staff are using insider information to manipulate betting activity on different sportsbooks, in direct violation of their contractual obligations.

These revelations, stemming from leaked documents, paint a picture of an integrity system that is inadequate in the face of an expanding and increasingly complex wagering industry.

The AFL has noted an “unprecedented” rise in integrity threats from the gambling sector, which has surged in popularity post-pandemic.

With over 80 bookmakers currently offering bets on AFL games, the league admits it has little visibility into the overall betting turnover and that it only has access to limited data regarding potentially suspicious activities.

This lack of oversight has led to concerns over bottlenecks and blind spots that hinder timely detection of rule violations, such as betting by insiders or the leaking of sensitive information.

Uncovering the issues

Among the most pressing examples cited by the AFL, according to The Guardian’sreport, is the case of an umpire who discussed the outcomes of matches in advance, allowing bettors to place informed wagers.

The league was only able to investigate this issue after a single bookmaker flagged suspicious betting activity following a substantial loss.

This case exposed a fundamental flaw in the AFL’s current integrity monitoring framework: that the league relies heavily on individual bookmakers to detect and report irregularities.

The process of gathering and analysing data is slow, creating substantial delays in investigations and allowing potential manipulation to go undetected for extended periods.

Another example involved a player who allegedly provided information about a pending game to a third party. He had been informed that he would start the match in a different position, a detail that was not publicly known at the time.

A bettor then placed five wagers with different bookmakers on the player scoring the first goal, capitalising on this non-public information.

Additionally, The Guardian reported that an AFLW (AFL Women’s) team’s health professional was found to have bet on matches using their partner’s account, exploiting injury information that was not available to the public.

Since the bets placed were relatively small, the existing integrity framework did not flag the activity.

In response to these challenges, the AFL is pushing for an overhaul of its integrity monitoring system. Its proposal includes the creation of a centralised database that would collect gambling transaction data from all bookmakers.

This database would incorporate details such as gambler names and would be managed by an external AI company to detect suspicious transactions in near real time.

However, this proposal has met strong opposition from many bookmakers, who argue that it represents an overreach and creates more problems than it fixes.

AFL wants more money from operators

Some large betting companies have refused to participate, citing concerns over the handling and potential misuse of personal information. However, there may be more to the issue than just integrity.

At the heart may be a broader dispute over gambling revenue. The AFL’s push for a more extensive integrity system is accompanied by its efforts to extract a larger share of the money bet on its games.

Initially, the league sought to impose a minimum annual fee of A$20,000 on all bookmakers, later adjusting the fee for smaller operators to A$3,000 in 2025, increasing to A$7,000 by 2027.

While this amount is relatively minor for large bookmakers, it represents a significant financial burden for smaller operators focused on horse racing and other markets.

The backlash from small bookmakers has been particularly strong. Some have stated that they will be forced to introduce inducements — such as bonus bets or deposit matches — to increase turnover and compensate for the AFL’s new financial demands.

Some of the smaller books now see no alternative but to adopt these tactics to sustain their operations. Other small bookmakers are reportedly considering similar strategies to counterbalance the additional fees.

This development raises broader concerns about the AFL’s increasing reliance on betting revenue.

Critics warn that the league may be creating an “irreversible” dependence on betting companies, which could further entrench the influence of gambling in Australian sports.

A 2022 bipartisan inquiry led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy had recommended an immediate ban on inducements, but no substantial regulatory changes have been implemented since.

Reshaping the industry

The AFL’s close association with gambling has long been a contentious issue, with critics pointing to the pervasive presence of betting advertisements in stadiums, on social media, and within the league’s own app.

While the AFL presents its push for a centralised monitoring system as a way to protect the integrity of the sport, skeptics argue that it is also a move to consolidate control over gambling revenues.

Public health officials have expressed frustration at the league’s dual role in both promoting and attempting to regulate betting, warning of the broader social consequences of expanded gambling incentives.

The league’s attempt to enforce stricter monitoring mechanisms, while simultaneously seeking a larger share of betting profits, raises questions about its priorities and long-term strategy.

At the same time, the reluctance of bookmakers to participate in a centralised integrity system raises concerns about their commitment to transparency and responsible gambling practices.