State Government investigation reveals AFL can do more to protect punters

A STATE Government probe has revealed that the AFL must strengthen the integrity of its gambling policies.

State: AFL must protect punters

A STATE Government probe into tanking allegations against the Melbourne Football Club has revealed that the AFL should strengthen the integrity of its gambling policies to protect punters.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation launched its probe into claims that the Demons deliberately lost games in 2009 to gain an advantage in the draft.

But the investigation mainly centred on whether the AFL had adequate policies, rules and procedures to guarantee the integrity of the competition.

The AFL has financial arrangements will 18 betting agencies and corporate bookmakers who pay the league a percentage of their turnover on football gambling. Several clubs have sponsorship deals with bookies.

While all types of football betting must be approved by the AFL, the commission said the league should improve is current policies as well as setting clearer, documented procedures for approving requests from betting agencies for new products and bet types.

An independent report complied by Deloitte and commissioned by Sportsbet in 2011 revealed the $900 million annual turnover on the various betting markets in the AFL would increase to $1.8 billion in five years.

The commission's investigation was launched in February after a seven-month probe by the AFL found Melbourne not guilty of tanking, but fined the club $500,000 for conduct prejudicial to the competition.

While there were no adverse findings against Melbourne, the commission said in a statement: "The VCGLR identified measures where the AFL could enhance its current policies and procedures to strengthen its integrity framework and provide further assurances to betting patrons."

The AFL found that the AFL remained suitable to be the sport's controlling body for the competition.