New Zealand gets tough on Match Fixing

New Zealand’s parliament has stepped up efforts to prosecute match fixers, as the country continues preparations to host the 2015 Cricket and FIFA U-20 World Cups.

The Crimes (Match-fixing) Amendment Bill, which makes match rigging a criminal offence carrying a seven year prison term, passed its first reading at the end of July.

“It is intended to address the most serious match-fixing activity where influencing a betting outcome is intended by improperly manipulating a sporting match or race. Other types of match-fixing activity are better addressed by code of conduct or disciplinary procedures by relevant governing sports bodies or by other areas of the general law,” the general policy statement reads.

The legislation would amend the Crimes Act 1961, inserting a new section which applies to the manipulation, with intent to influence a betting outcome, of various sporting competitions and events through deception.