Players and officials "have been warned about the perils of corruption" with news that an "astounding" A$2.2B was bet on last season's Big Bash League, according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The new edition of the city-based Twenty20 tournament "begins in a fortnight with the Sydney derby between the Thunder and Sixers at Spotless Stadium" and there is anticipated to be "even more attention on it than a year ago." The game's stakeholders around the country, from BBL franchises to venues, have been told by Cricket Australia that a total of A$2.2B was wagered on the '14-15 version on the "regulated market alone, a lofty figure" that averages out to more than A$60M each across the 35 matches played last December and January. The "significant share of the betting" was undertaken through global exchange Betfair, which reported a 28.6% lift in BBL revenue from the previous season and a 70% rise at Betfair UK. On the advice of the Australian Federal Police and the Victorian Sports Integrity Intelligence Unit, an arm of Victoria Police, CA has "attempted to make contact with two companies they have been told are major players in the cricket market" -- SBOBet in the Philippines, and Curacao-based Pinnacle Sports. They have heard "nothing back." And the "chances of a response, let alone a degree of cooperation are not exactly bright" (SMH, 12/2).
