Victorian Police detectives have arrested four people as part of their investigation into suspicious betting activity linked to the Australian Football League (AFL) Brownlow Medal.
The Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit investigation relates to the release of the Brownlow Medal voting tallies from matches in the AFL 2022 season.
Police allege that a person with knowledge of the voting tally of these matches distributed the information to a group of people known to them.
“Victorians are well known for their love of AFL and in particular, the prestigious Brownlow Medal award, but equally they want to know that there is integrity, fairness and honesty behind this award,” said Intelligence & Covert Support Command, Commander Deb Robertson.
“We have been working with the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia in relation to these matters, and we will continue to work together to target, disrupt and apprehend people who commit these offences.
“The public assistance is a really key part – we know there are people out there involved in sport who see or hear things they know are not right and we need them to speak up. This can also be done confidentially via Crime Stoppers.”
Police are investigating how many matches may have had votes released, and exactly how much money was awarded from the bets.
“At this stage, police have no information to suggest that the outcome of the votes were impacted as the allegations relate solely to the distribution of information,” Victorian Police said in a statement today.
Detectives have executed warrants at multiple residential properties today in Glenroy, Kilsyth, Oak Park, Drouin, Craigieburn and Doreen, seizing several mobile phones and electronic items and arresting four people, including:
The four men arrested include two 32-year-old men from Glenroy, a 29-year-old man from Oak Park and a 27-year-old man from Drouin.
“All four men are currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries and the investigation is ongoing,” Victoria Police said.
The criminal offences police are investigating are engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome of event or event contingency, and using corrupt conduct information for betting purposes. These offences carry up to 10 years imprisonment.
Anyone with information about crime or suspicious activity is urged to make a report with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submitting a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
