AFL board operator axed after being caught betting on matches
A WORKSAFE investigator moonlighting as an AFL official has had his contract torn up after being caught betting on matches in breach of strict league integrity rules.
The AFL busted scoreboard operator Chris Hogg placing a number of bets on matches totalling $170 and sacked him after an internal probe.
The league, Mr Hogg and WorkSafe Victoria refused to say which matches he had bet on, how much he stood to win and the period of time he was punting on AFL games.
But AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said anyone working in a league or club role was bound by a strict betting ban.
“His period of employment had finished and he was not then offered a new contract, after a number of bets totalling less than $170 were found to have been placed,” he said.
“His role as a scoreboard operator did not allow him access to any privileged information, however, all persons working in an AFL or club role at AFL matches are bound by AFL guidelines regarding prohibition of betting, regardless of whether they have access to privileged information.”
A WorkSafe insider said Mr Hogg’s AFL role had raised eyebrows given the authority had investigated Essendon over the supplements scandal.
The Bombers were fined $200,000 on two charges of failing to provide a working environment that was safe and without risks to health.
Mr Hogg declined to comment and WorkSafe refused to reveal the nature of the bets or if he had been disciplined.
“This investigator has never been involved in WorkSafe’s investigations into the AFL or any AFL club,” WorkSafe spokesman Peter Flaherty said.
Collingwood’s Jack Crisp was fined $5000 and had to have counselling after punting $129 on AFL markets while at the Brisbane Lions in 2014.
Former Magpie Heath Shaw was suspended for eight matches and fined $20,000 after betting on Nick Maxwell to kick the first goal in a match against Adelaide in 2011, and a goal umpire was suspended for most of 2010 after laying bets on the 2009 Grand Final, despite not umpiring the match.
“The action taken in this instance involved (Mr Hogg’s) contract not being renewed, whereas a person who had access to privileged information would have faced much more serious consequences,” Mr Keane said.
Cracking down on those corrupt scoreboard operators
Surely if you were going to link with anything from that article it would be Lachie Hunter and his ‘no, someone else was betting with my account’ thing.
Surely if you were going to link with anything from that article it would be Lachie Hunter and his ‘no, someone else was betting with my account’ thing.
They could have mentioned the Dean Wallis Betting link, and also ho he farked up the supplments/injection regime spreadsheet. Then how AFL Destroyed the spreadsheet, and promoted propaganda that it never existed in the first place.
“His role as a scoreboard operator did not allow him access to any privileged information, however, all persons working in an AFL or club role at AFL matches are bound by AFL guidelines regarding prohibition of betting, regardless of whether they have access to privileged information.”
Yeah sure he didn’t have access to 'privileged information '.
AFL top brass not wanting their dodgy match fixing to be exposed perhaps?..allegedly.
It was neat the way they just slipped that bit in about the EFC. Never let a chance go by. Nothing whatsoever to do with the actual story. Starting early for 2017.
Why is the ALF concentrating on trivial issues like employees betting on games and ignoring the major questions when they have an expert in Gill. Sunbed or spray-on?
The AFL faces several new threats and they must be ■■■■■■■■ themselves because they all relate to the most important thing to the AFL. Their revenue stream.
First a threat to the poker machine gambling revenue, and an examination of the relationship of the AFL to gambling companies.
Second, a threat to the $300 M GOVERNMENT HANDOUT for the development of Etihhad.
Third the possible challenge to the AFLs tax exempt status, which is linked to
Fourth. The poor state of footy in Tasmania and elsewhere in the Country, and even the suburbs, that is being increasingly revealled in the media.
While the AFL focusses on its grand mansion at the top level, its sources of income its government funding and grass roots are facing severe stress.
We have all known for years how while it makes itself out too be progressive, ethical and moral, it only really cares about is its tax free income stream.
The AFL has always been very nice to its political friends but If Guy wins the Victorian election, its going to bypass the AFL and spent the money on grass roots sport. A mood in Canberra might be to tax the AFL in particular. Its a billion dollar industry not a charity.
Maybe now we see why the AFL has always made pollies welcome with largesse at the big games, and jumped when the government said " we need to have a joint press conference"
Ivan,
Yes its the subject of an article in the papers on the weekend. Its a tax exempt status that has benefited the AFL for about 50 or so years.
Yes loss of tax exempt status will ensure they remain close to break even every year. No problem there.
However, if they are not tax free, and they don’t pay tax, they will not be able to retain profits to make capital expenditure, however, then, they may have a better case to obtain funds from government for major projects as a responsible corporate entity like all the others.
As it is , they are a layer of the industry that does not pay tax, they just collect revenue and distribute it to lower layers, mainly players, who do pay tax.
The solution for the AFL is to behave in the way expected when the tax exempt status was granted , that is, distribute more funds to grass roots .
Even if the local sports pavilion has to be called the " Gil Maclachlan Pavilion" and they are seen to be , and are actually doing some good for the bottom feeders of the sporting community; Mums, Dads and Kids.
I have no issue with AFL and NRL not paying Company Tax. they pay all the other taxes like PAYG, GST, etc. , and while some of their executives get a good wage, profit goes back into the game.
I would rather that evil groups like the RCC are taxed out of existence.
