Victoria gambling regulator has launched a suitability review of Football Australia’s integrity policies and its approach to gambling in soccer. The probe comes amid the second match-fixing scandal to hit the A-League in just 12 months.
Match-Fixing Scandals Rock Australian Soccer
Football Australia faces scrutiny over its ability to protect the sport’s integrity, following multiple match-fixing allegations.
- Western United player Riku Danzaki, 25, was recently charged with 10 match-fixing offences, allegedly intentionally receiving yellow cards during A-League matches in April and May.
- Macarthur FC players Ulises Davila, Kearyn Bacchus, and Clayton Lewis faced similar charges last year, also related to manipulating yellow cards for betting purposes.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) described the latest match-fixing case as “concerning”, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
Gambling Regulator Scope of the Investigation
The VGCCC review, scheduled for the 2025–26 financial year, will evaluate Football Australia’s ability to ensure the integrity of its matches. Key areas of focus include: Betting Activities Permitted by Football Australia (e.g., wagers on yellow cards), Compliance with Legislated Integrity Requirements, Potential Risks Associated with Current Betting Practices
Football Australia confirmed that it was notified of the review in April and welcomed the opportunity to enhance its vigilance against integrity threats. “Integrity challenges are a shared responsibility of sports organizations, regulators, and governments worldwide,” the governing body stated. “Offenders are becoming more sophisticated, and our job is never truly done.”
Football Australia’s Role in Betting Regulations
Under Victoria’s gambling laws, Football Australia is designated as a sports controlling body. This grants it the authority to Oversee integrity measures in soccer, negotiate betting agreements with wagering companies and Earn revenue from gambling on soccer games, including bets placed on yellow cards
The organization holds similar powers under New South Wales gambling regulations. However, Football Australia has faced criticism for allowing bets on all levels of soccer, from international games to amateur suburban matches—a practice not followed by major sports leagues like the AFL or NRL.
International Concerns Over Match-Fixing in Soccer
Melbourne University sports law expert Jack Anderson believes the VGCCC’s review will likely focus on whether certain high-risk betting markets should be banned. “The regulator may ask: Are some of these bets creating an excessive risk? Should they be removed?” he explained.
Match-fixing incidents involving yellow cards are a growing concern worldwide because a single player can control the outcome of such bets. “A player can deliberately commit a foul that results in a yellow card, even timing it precisely,” Professor Anderson added.
One high-profile case involves Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United), who is facing a possible lifetime ban from football after the UK Football Association charged him with spot-fixing related to yellow cards. Paqueta, however, denies any wrongdoing.
What’s Next?
The VGCCC has not yet disclosed the full terms of reference for the inquiry, but industry experts believe it will reshape Australia’s approach to gambling in soccer. As match-fixing concerns rise, regulators and sports organizations must strengthen integrity measures to safeguard the sport.
