Several news reports have stated that many bookmakers suspended betting earlier this month on the Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett televised match that took place in the UK. This action has caused the Government to get involved and investigate.

The Guardian newspaper has reported that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has stated their Parliamentary Select Committee will be investigating suspect betting patterns in the sport. They state this is part of a wide review of recent legislation in that area.

John Whittindale will be leading the investigation, which should begin next year. Whittingdale is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Maldon and East Chelmsford. Evidence will be taken from bookmakers and sporting bodies to help the investigation. Any information on the recent controversy of the UK Snooker Championship match will be taken as well.

This whole controversy started when certain bookmakers pulled their odds on the first round match between Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett after receiving many large bets on number 2 ranked Maguire. The large bets were placed for Maguire to beat Burnett, number 45 in Snooker, nine frames to three.

After the decision was made to pull the match from betting, Maguire beat Burnett nine frames to three, making the bets look even more suspicious. Burnett had a chance to bring the ending score eight frames to four but he missed a black in the twelfth frame. The Guardian also reported that the pair occasionally practices together but both have denied fixing the score.



- 2008-12-19