Sri Lanka has outlawed sports betting and has criminalized match fixing as part of its efforts to stamp out corruption in cricket.
Cricket is arguably Sri Lanka’s most popular sport. However, it has been plagued by graft scandals in the past few years. Due to multiple alleged match fixing incidents, the South Asian country has been on the International Cricket Council’s radar screen since 2017 and has gained a reputation of one of the world’s most corrupt cricketing nations.
Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister, Harin Fernando, presented on Monday his Prevention of Offenses Related to Sports bill that aims to crack down on match fixing and outlaw sports betting on the territory of the country.
The piece of legislation passed all three readings in the Parliament on Monday. It was supported by former Sri Lanka national cricket team captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who now serves as a Cabinet Minister.
The Bill
Under the bill, those found guilty of match fixing face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to LKR100 million (approx. $555,000). The measure also prohibits people with family links to gambling businesses from taking roles at the local cricket governing body.
That particular provision appeared to be partly targeting the former President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Thilanga Sumathipala, whose family owns a gambling business. Mr. Sumathipala has repeatedly pointed out that he had no involvement in the gambling business of his family.
The recently approved bill also contains provisions that target “any person related to a sport” who is found to be directly involved in match fixing as well as those who provide inside information, curators who prepare playing surfaces to benefit sports betting operators, and match officials who “deliberately misapply the rules” in exchange for money or other rewards.
In addition, people who are found to have failed to report suspected corrupt approaches would too face penalties and even serve jail time.
Last but not least, the bill also addresses the provision and involvement in sports betting activities on the territory of the country. Up until now, sports betting in Sri Lanka was limited to sporting events that took place outside the country. Wagering on matches taking place in Sri Lanka was strictly prohibited.
Under the bill, Sri Lankans will not be allowed to place bets on overseas contests, as well. Offenders of the sports betting provisions could too face up to 10 years in prison and hefty fines.
When Will the New Provisions Be Enforced?
The approved legislation is set to become law when it gets published in the nation’s Official Gazette. This is expected to happen in the next few days.
Minister Fernando’s bill was passed only a few months after Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister said that cricket’s governance in the country was riddled with corruption “from top to bottom” and that has resulted in Sri Lanka being treated as one of the most corrupt cricketing nations in the world.
Minister Fernando said Monday after his bill saw overwhelming support in the Parliament that “many tried to prevent this piece of legislation, but I am happy that it was taken up today.”
Source: Sri Lanka Becomes First South Asian Nation to Criminalise Match Fixing & Sports Betting, CricketNext
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