Match-fixing continues to be a major problem in sports leagues around the world. Over the course of the past year, we have seen plenty of athletes and team managers come under fire for being involved in corrupt activities. To help prevent match-fixing scandals, New Zealand has passed the Crime Match Fixing Amendment Bill. The bill places greater focus on match-fixing as a crime.
In the original New Zealand Crimes Act, there was no specific reference to corruption in sports. The new Crime Match Fixing Amendment Bill changes this by classifying it as a form of ‘deception’. It will also give the local police a closer connection to match fixing investigations.
"Police will now have greater powers to investigate corruption in sport in the same way that we investigate other criminal activity," says Superintendent Sandra Manderson. As part of the bill, The New Zealand government has also introduced a number of protection measures that aim to defend the integrity of sports in the country.
Input from the sport sector and the gambling market helped to ensure that the new measures are comprehensive and effective. "Match-fixing is a growing problem internationally and it is the number one threat to the integrity, value and growth of sport," says Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Sport and Recreation. "In New Zealand, we are not immune to this growing threat.
The passing of this Bill is an important step in protecting the integrity of our sport." It is certainly important for the local government to take a leading role in the fight against match-fixing. We are pleased to see that New Zealand politicians are working hard to maintain the integrity of sport in the country. The new bill will become effective on December 15, in time for the 50-over cricket World Cup.
New Zealand will be hosting the even along with Australia in February 2015. The country will also be hosting the men's under-20 soccer World Cup in June 2015.
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