WPBSA to Monitor Betting Markets in Crackdown on Match-Fixing

Nigel Mawer, chairman of the disciplinary committee of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) has said snooker authorities have to monitor betting markets to combat match-fixing in the sport. 

Mawer, a former Scotland Yard detective, said to Reuters that monitoring the markets was “crucial” to keeping track of illegal activity. 

He said: “The point for me is if you are going to fix a match, normally it’s for people to win money by betting, so it’s crucial that we can monitor betting markets worldwide. It gives us the opportunity to investigate.”

“What that does mean is that often I will know if there’s a movement in the betting market before a match is even being played. That’s very useful because it gives us a chance at early intervention.”

Match-fixing has been a highly debated topic in snooker since the former world no. five, Stephen Lee, was banned for 12 years in relation to corruption in seven matches between 2008 and 2009. 

Mawer added: “The Stephen Lee case has sent shockwaves across snooker, but it helps players who have to make a decision if they have an approach. 

“The Lee case will help them make the right decision and say no to an approach and build confidence in the players and I think now they will report if there were any approaches.”

The WPBSA agreed a deal with the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) last week to help prevent future incidents of corruption. The ICSS has a team of investigators who specialise in sports integrity.