In the AFL, players are prohibited from placing wagers on league games – but some athletes try to get away with it anyways. Collingwood’s Jack Crisp is one such player, who placed a wager on a game last season. Last season, when Crisp was listed as a player with the Brisbane Lions, he placed a multi-bet on an AFL game. For his actions, he has been ordered to pay a hefty fine of $5000 and will be required to undergo counselling.
Players who are caught wagering on AFL matches are usually subject to suspension, but Crisp escaped this fate. A report by The Age notes that because he was cooperative with AFL officials throughout the investigation process, the player will not be suspended from any matches.
“The player's full co-operation and contrition in dealing with this matter was taken into account and it was determined he would not face a playing suspension,” says General Counsel Andrew Dillon. On the other hand, a score review official for the AFL has been banned for the whole season after his own betting scandal. It was discovered that he allowed another person to use his sportsbook account to place 62 bets totally $362.
Dillon justifies the decision: "In consideration of the person's match-day role, conduct was deemed unacceptable and will not be considered for employment at AFL matches during the 2015 season". It seems to be quite the epidemic, as league and club employees have been caught wagering on AFL matches.
Recently, five club staff members were issued warning about betting on games. Should this trend continue, the league may need to overhaul its policy on AFL betting. Stricter punishments may be required in order to deter players from wagering on AFL matches.
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