UK Gambling Commission Supports Global Crackdown on Basketball Match-Fixing

In a decisive move against sporting corruption, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has marked its participation in a successful international operation targeting basketball match-fixing.

The coordinated investigation, which also involved the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the British Basketball Federation (BBF), has led to disciplinary action against six former players accused of manipulating game outcomes.

The investigation was spearheaded by the UKGC’s Sports Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU), which collaborated closely with FIBA and the BBF. Their joint efforts uncovered match-fixing breaches committed by players primarily affiliated with the now-defunct Surrey Scorchers, who competed in the British Basketball League (BBL) during the 2022/23 season.

Altogether, six infractions were identified as part of the manipulation scheme. These culminated in a range of severe sanctions, including hefty fines, long-term bans, and lifetime suspensions from the sport.

Among those penalized were Quincy Taylor and Charleston Dobbs, who each received a domestic lifetime ban alongside a £3,000 fine from the BBF. FIBA subsequently extended these bans on an international level. The same penalties were imposed on fellow players Shakem Johnston, Padiet Wang, and Joshua McFolley, effectively barring all five from any form of basketball activity worldwide.

Further investigations revealed that former player Dean Wanliss was also involved in match-fixing activity, though his offenses date back to games played between 2019 and 2021. This separate probe was led by the BBF in conjunction with FIBA, the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), and the International Olympic Committee Monitoring Unit, demonstrating the far-reaching scope of the inquiry.

As one of the most globally followed sports, basketball continues to attract the attention of match-fixers, a trend that mirrors similar challenges faced in football and tennis. The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has repeatedly sounded the alarm on corruption risks within the sport.

Nevertheless, the recent charges brought forward as a result of collaborative efforts between international regulators and governing bodies signal a robust global system of integrity enforcement. The success of this joint operation underscores the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in combating sports betting manipulation. 

By fLEXI tEAM