Cricket Australia declines to comment on Bet365 gambling revelations

Cricket Australia declined to comment on allegations that major partner Bet365 has been punishing successful punters by using “backdoor algorithms” to block their betting.

Cricket Australia is refusing to comment on allegations that major partner Bet365 has been punishing successful punters.

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Cricket Australia declined to comment on allegations that major partner Bet365 has been punishing successful punters.

A report on the ABC’s 7.30 Report, which aired on Thursday night, claimed Bet365 uses “backdoor algorithms” and other tactics to put blocks in front of successful punters — such as restricting how much they can bet — to protect the company’s bottom line.

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The report claimed the betting giant will exploit clients with losing records in a bid to manipulate them into gambling more.

Bet365 is a gold partner of Cricket Australia’s and advertises prominently at Test venues, including around the boundary rope.

Gambling reform head Tim Costello last week accused CA of shameful hypocrisy for continuing to be sponsored by gambling agencies while trying to maintain an image as a family summer sport.

Costello said if the governing body was serious about outlawing anti-corruption it would not take money from bookmakers.

CA chief executive Kevin Roberts admitted last week that the organisation would review its sponsorship with Bet365 once the final two years of the current deal was complete. However, he suggested it would make little difference to the overall prominence of sports betting if CA took a tough moral stand.

Originally published as Cricket Australia declines to comment on Bet365 gambling revelations