Bookies ban betting on AFL opener
Australian bookmakers have suspended betting on the opening match of the AFL season between Adelaide and Essendon.
The Bombers have been at the centre of controversy this week after the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) launched an investigation into the use of supplements at the club.
Thursday's release of the Australian Crime Commission report into drugs in sport in Australia has revealed an instance of team-based doping at at least one unnamed club, with speculation that Essendon could be that club.
The Adelaide Crows will play Essendon at Football Park in Adelaide on Friday March 22 to kick off the 2013 premiership season.
As of Friday morning, a series of leading online bookmakers had removed the game from their websites or stated that betting was suspended.
Tattsbet has also suspended so-called "AFL futures" betting, predicting which sides will make the top four, the final eight, who will win the minor premiership and the wooden spoon.
The only futures betting still available is on the Premiership itself - Essendon is listed as $15 to win the flag, compared to $4 for favourites Hawthorn.
Sportsbet.com.au has removed the Adelaide v Essendon game from its website, and has removed Essendon from its futures betting markets - all other clubs are unaffected.
Sportingbet has also removed the Crows - Bombers game from its website, but it has Essendon in most futures markets, except for betting on the team missing the top eight.
No official reason has been given on the websites for the suspension.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-08/b ... er/4508234
Looks like the AFL were the ones doing the match fixing.............
