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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Tabcorp Banned From Taking Bets On UFC Amid Corruption Warnings

Victoria's gambling regulator banned Tabcorp "from taking bets on the recent UFC cage fighting event in Melbourne, amid warnings by law enforcement agencies that the sport was vulnerable to corruption and money laundering by organised criminals," according to Houston, Spooner & Vedelago of THE AGE. It "was the first time the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation had refused an official request to allow punting on a sports event and delivered a strong rebuke to the UFC, which ranks as one of the world's most valuable and powerful sporting franchises." A commission spokesperson "confirmed it had prevented Tabcorp from taking bets on any fights at UFC 193 in November, which attracted a record crowd of 56,000 at Etihad Stadium and a massive global television audience." A spokesperson said, "In determining the application the VCGLR formed a view that UFC does not have appropriate policies or measures in place as required by Victoria's gambling laws." UFC Exec VP Tom Wright said that "he was baffled by the regulator's decision and said the organisation had a series of robust integrity measures in place." Wright said the UFC's global compliance unit dealt with "each and every complaint," while all competitors were required to sign a code of conduct that was strictly enforced. He said that the organization "had staged 40 events in five continents over the past year without a hint of corruption." While the Victorian gambling commission "refused an application by Tabcorp, it has been powerless to stop offshore and interstate gaming operators, which have aggressively targeted the popular combat sport despite serious integrity concerns" (THE AGE, 1/3).

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