Integrity in sports update: South Korean police strengthen crackdown on illegal gambling operators

In this week’s media recap, we would like to highlight the statement of the former football player Matthew Etherington who said that his addiction to gambling almost ruined his life. His statement shows once again how crucial itis to protect Athletes/Players from gambling and how gambling is becoming an issue within sport.

There are good practices introduced in Australia Cricket body, which is very confident in its sophisticated anti-corruption programme that will protect the game and the players.

From police side, interesting to see how the Republic of Korea decided to strengthen its strategy against illegal betting, given that often criminal gangs are involved in such cases.

GOOD PRACTICE

Canada

CALGARY — Springbank High School is experimenting with a new sports program that focuses on building individual character rather than winning.

The Global Sport Academy is also designed to keep students active in athletics longer and help them succeed on the scoreboard and in classes too.

“This is a hockey program, we know that, but first and foremost this is a character education program,” said Jeff Ovens.

Global Sport coaches like Ovens are playing on students’ desire to succeed on the ice, to give them tools when the skates come off.

Source: Lisa MacGregor, "Global Sport Academy’ teaches student athletes integrity before winning", 27 October 2015, Global news, https://globalnews.ca/news/2302996/global-sport-academy-teaches-student-athletes-integrity-before-winning/

ILLEGAL BETTING

Korea (Rep. of)

Police said Friday that they will strengthen their crackdown on illegal gambling websites and site operators. Given that gangs are involved in running many large-scale gambling sites, police plan to apply the law against "organizing a criminal group" instead of the previously applied gambling one. According to police, many gambling websites with tens of thousands of members are operated by crime rings. So far, such website operators were indicted on charge of opening a gambling place. Under such a charge, the punishment was up to seven years in prison or a 70 million won fine.

"However, with the charge of criminal group organization, the operators will be subject to harsher punishments of up to life sentences," an official of the National Police Agency said.

Programmers who create and manage gambling sites will also be punished as accomplices, and those who offer web hosting services while knowing the sites are for illegal gambling, as abettors. Also, not only site operators but gamblers will face heavier punishments.

Source: Chung Hyun-chae, "Police declare war on gambling sites", 30 October 2015, The Korea Times, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/10/116_189840.html

Tuesday, 03 November 2015