The UK Gambling Commission, in collaboration with the West Midlands Police, arrested three individuals in Birmingham suspected of manipulating a boxing match last year.
Two suspects, a 54-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man, were detained in Kings Norton, while a 23-year-old man was arrested in Longbridge.
All three face charges under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, which specifically addresses cheating in gambling activities.
The legislation broadly defines cheating, including direct deceitful actions as well as any assistance provided to others in cheating at gambling.
Under this act, offenders, once convicted, face severe penalties, including up to two years in prison and substantial fines.
It is noteworthy that, according to this act, cheating includes interfering with gambling activities, regardless of whether the individual directly benefits or wins anything.
This development follows recent efforts by the Gambling Commission to address regulatory breaches in the gambling industry, including concerns about licensed gaming content appearing on unregulated websites.
Following these investigations, regulatory bodies have urged operators to review their partnerships and business practices to avoid involvement in illegal gambling activities.
