The New Zealand Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) is getting serious about betting breaches. This week, famed jockey David Walker has received a seven-year ban after he was found guilty of breaching the country’s betting laws. It was discovered that Walker had bet against his horse in a head-to-head race. He then ensured that his horse lost the race so that he could collect the winnings.
Shortly after, he was found out by the RIU and his punishment has just been handed down. “The message is clear, serious breaches such as this case will have severe consequences for those involved,” says a spokesperson for the RIU. “The Walker case serves to illustrate the effectiveness of the RIU’s systems of surveillance of racing and betting and its investigation processes”.
Walker’s sentence will certainly serve as a deterrent. Any other jockeys that may consider insider betting will definitely think twice after seeing what happened to Walker. While it is one of the most high profile cases of insider horse betting that we have seen, it is certainly not the first. Over the course of the past few years, many jockeys and horse racing officials have pleaded guilty to breaching gambling laws.
However, it was David Walker’s case that prompted the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to introduce new, strict rules. Now, jockeys will be prohibited from betting on any races in which they are taking part – even if they are betting on their own horse.
This new rule aims to cut back on betting scandals in the New Zealand horseracing market. It is unfortunate that insider betting has occurred in the first place, but it is a step in the right direction to enforce strict rules.
About the Author
