AFL wagering partners reject Brownlow betting ban as umpire ‘thrown under bus’

Gambling companies have rejected calls for a ban on Brownlow Medal betting as a police investigation into a former AFL umpire accused of sharing insider information drags on.

Responsible Wagering Australia has rejected calls for a ban on Brownlow Medal betting as a police investigation into a former AFL umpire accused of sharing insider information drags on.

Anti-gambling advocate Tim Costello has demanded the AFL and sports betting companies ban wagering on the league’s annual best and fairest award.

It comes after field umpire Michael Pell was arrested more than a year ago after unusual correct bets were made on the Brownlow Medal in 2022.

Mr Pell was accused of sharing information with friends, with investigations looking into 10 games where bets were placed on who would receive three votes.

Mr Pell has not been charged with any offence and has denied any wrongdoing.

“The AFL has shown terrible double standards, they have thrown Michael Pell under the bus while they have allowed this,” Mr Costello said.

Anti-gambling advocate Tim Costello. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

“They are clipping the ticket on the way through.

“Round by round betting on the Brownlow should definitely be banned, it’s just ridiculous, it shouldn’t happen.”

Australians gamble more than $8 billion each year on sport, with gambling now heavily advertised for AFL as well as horse racing.

There are a variety of exotic markets, including betting on which player will receive the best on ground votes each round as voted by field umpires.

Responsible Wagering Australia, whose members include Sportsbet, the AFL’s official wagering partner, and bet365, warned curbing legal gambling would send punters offshore.

“RWA will continue to work with governments and industry to build on the strong measures our members already have in place that help stamp out any criminal activity and ensure that Australia continues to have a safe and fair onshore regulated gambling market,” it said in a statement.

Carlton’s Patrick Cripps won the 2022 AFL Brownlow Medal. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Banning licensed Australian providers from offering certain markets is not the answer, as Australians will instead be driven to gamble with offshore illegal operators who offer no consumer protections and don’t pay any taxes or fees that licensed operators are required to pay.”

Police arrested Mr Pell in November 2022 and seized his mobile phone.

However, sources claim that police did not find any text or WhatsApp messages relating to how umpires voted in matches he officiated.

Victoria has different legislation to other states, with sharing information not included in law, only actions that could corrupt the outcome of an event.

Field umpire Michael Pell during a Melbourne v Carlton match in 2022. Picture: Michael Klein

A 2018 review of “Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements” presented to the Federal Government detailed the unique Victorian position.

“We cite that the communication and use of inside information is not an offence in the Victorian legislation,” the report said.

“While the provision of inside information might be viewed by some as being towards the bottom of the scale, it nevertheless must be regarded as serious.”

The AFL said wagering companies had introduced a $250 payout cap on round-by-round betting on the Brownlow Medal.

“The AFL has also conducted further compliance training and education with AFL umpires on the AFL’s anti-gambling policies and surveillance of the Brownlow Medal vote counting process,” the league said in a statement.

“The AFL continues to periodically review its integrity controls in relation to all of its approved betting markets, including Brownlow Medal ‘round-by-round’ markets, to identify and mitigate potential integrity risks to AFL matches and competitions.”