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  1. #1
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    Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    Surprise, surprise...

    Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    The state’s gambling watchdog has been referred to IBAC amid claims of corruption in its handling of three major footy scandals.

    Two whistleblowers claim the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation did not properly investigate the Jaidyn Stephenson gambling issue, Melbourne tanking saga or Talia brothers cheating allegations.

    They allege the investigations were whitewashes and the body is beholden to the AFL.

    The claims have been referred to the independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).

    “Pretending the VCGLR is a watchdog is worse than having no watchdog at all. Because right now, Victorians think someone is watching. But AFL fans need to know, nobody is watching, and that the AFL is making money from the madness and the badness,” one whistleblower said.

    “Half the staff at the VCGLR are desperate for IBAC to step in and clean up the regulator. “There are good people inside the VCGLR who want to be allowed to fight corruption.”

    The whistleblowers approached independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie regarding their concerns after the VCGLR’s recent announcement on Melbourne, saying they were “prepared to provide evidence”.

    Mr Wilkie earlier this month referred the case to IBAC.

    “In my opinion, these latest whistleblowers are genuine and their concerns credible,” Wilkie said in his referral.

    In the case of Pies forward Stephenson, an AFL probe was satisfied he made no attempt to fix any outcomes despite betting on himself to kick a certain number of goals, and for Collingwood to win by a specific margin in the bets.

    Precise details of the bets which Stephenson placed on three matches were never publicly disclosed, with the young star escaping with a 10-game ban.

    “If the investigators were allowed to do their jobs, they would make Jaidyn Stephenson come in for an interview,” one whistleblower said.

    “That’s what they wanted to do. They are the actual regulator. That’s their job.”

    The whistleblowers have also flagged concerns over the VCGLR’s handling of allegations that inside information was leaked by a disgruntled Bulldogs player to the Adelaide Crows before the 2015 elimination final.

    The AFL announced there was no case to answer in November 2015, after a 63-day integrity unit investigation into the issue, ticked off by the VCGLR a month later following a brief review.

    But the Herald Sun revealed in mid-2016 that Bulldogs chiefs informed the AFL they had obtained “independent corroboration” of allegations that disaffected defender Michael Talia leaked parts of the team’s game plan to his brother, star Adelaide backman Daniel Talia, in the days before the match.

    The Bulldogs were furious that the AFL accepted explanations of players at the centre of the scandal rather than the views of coach Luke Beveridge, who was prepared to “go on oath” and list manager Jason McCartney.

    One of the whistleblowers said this week: “The Talia brothers scandal should never have been left to the AFL to investigate.


    “The AFL must never be allowed to investigate itself. The AFL is part of the gambling industry. The AFL sold football’s soul to the devils a long time ago.”

    The final process relating to the AFL which they say was corrupted was the recent VCGLR probe into the Melbourne tanking scandal.

    “There was no investigation into the Melbourne tanking by the VCGLR. No-one inside the VCGLR has any knowledge of such an investigation,” a whistleblower said of the body’s supposed review, announced in April.

    Dozens of Melbourne players and officials were interviewed by AFL investigators in 2012/13, after ex-Demon Brock McLean suggested the team was being coached to lose.

    An AFL probe cleared the club of tanking, with an initial VCGLR inquiry rubberstamping the verdict.

    But the VCGLR announced it was launching a fresh investigation after the Herald Sun published 80 pages of secret transcripts from the AFL’s tanking interviews, exposing how multiple club officials had confessed to a conspiracy to lose matches.

    Last month, the body announced it had again determined the league had not breached its obligations.

    State Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien last month said the VCGLR’s “nothing to see here” verdict on the tanking scandal “beggars belief”.

    “There is a real question whether the VCGLR is doing its job when it comes to regulating sports betting,” he said.

    There was “a culture of corruption” inside the VCGLR, one whistleblower said this week.

    “It doesn’t happen by accident. The regulator is deliberately set up to fail,” he said.

    “The AFL is treated like it’s above the law. How can the AFL be allowed by the regulator to do it’s own investigation into match-fixing? The independent regulator should be doing the investigation. And how can the AFL be allowed to clear itself of wrong doing when a coach admits to match-fixing?

    “It’s a cover-up and the VCGLR are involved.”

    Asked about the issue, an IBAC spokesman said: “For legal and operational reasons, IBAC generally does not comment on whether we have a complaint or investigation before us.”

    An IBAC report last year referenced concerns raised by the auditor general about the VCGLR’s policing of “the gambling and liquor industries”.

  2. Thanks bulldogtragic, KT31, Rocket Science, bornadog, azabob thanked for this post
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  3. #2
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    Chickens. Home. Roost.

    I spoke to Bevo during that 63 days about this. I think he'd enjoy jumping in the witness box and telling everything he knows at IBAC.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

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  5. #3
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    IF.....there is the presence of smoke
    THEN....it's fair to assume there is fire
    "Look at me mate. Look at me. I'm flyin'"

  6. Likes bulldogtragic liked this post
  7. #4
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    Caroline & Black Soul beat Bevo & PG up over this. I look forward to reading their apologies.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

  8. #5
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    This is going to be great*

    (Grabs popcorn)

    *Assuming the watchdog's watchdog aren't also a little easily influenced. Grand final tickets anyone?

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  10. #6
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    Quote Originally Posted by The Adelaide Connection View Post
    This is going to be great*

    (Grabs popcorn)

    *Assuming the watchdog's watchdog aren't also a little easily influenced. Grand final tickets anyone?
    IBAC is design to rip corrupt people to shreds and be the sunlight that exposes the corruption of organisations. They have amazing power including:

    Our investigative powers

    We have powers to effectively investigate allegations of public sector corruption and police misconduct, including being able to:

    - compel the production of documents and objects
    - enter and search premises
    - seize documents and objects
    - use surveillance devices
    - intercept telecommunications
    - hold private and public hearings
    - require people to give evidence at a hearing
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

  11. #7
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    oh goodness what a debacle the AFL has become. It's a shame the club I love is part of the industry otherwise I would have disowned the organisation long ago, like I have done with Australia Cricket.

    The AFL should be stripped of its rights and privileges and a special administration brought in to steer the ship until an independent body is finished undertaking a thorough audit on operations. The AFL has been untouchable for too long and has become toxic and completely bias when it comes to any form of investigation.

    It's Nero dancing on the roof stuff.
    But then again, I'm an Internet poster and Bevo is a premiership coach so draw your own conclusions.

  12. #8
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    I really hope for the sake of the game this is a thorough investigation and those found to be complicit in any cover-ups have their careers and reputations ruined.
    Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.

  13. #9
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    Re: Gambling watchdog referred to IBAC over claims of corruption

    Wow. That is explosive. And about bloody time. The AFL's 'investigations' are so shoddy it's unbelievable.The fact that the AFL is allowed to investigate itSELF is preposterous. Hope some shit hits the fan.........Demetriou has a truckload to answer for on his watch too.

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