New Zealand cops get more power to fight match fixing

Fraudsters with an eye on fixing sports matches in New Zealand, be warned; the new Crime Match Fixing Amendment Bill just approved classifies match fixing as criminal deception and carries penalties of up to seven years in jail on conviction.

Local politicians voted for the amendments ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, which New Zealand will host in 2015.

The amendments give the national police more scope and powers to investigate and pursue match-fixers, along with the stiff punitive penalties.

Commenting on the bill following its third reading in parliament, Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman said:

“Match-fixing is a growing problem internationally and it is the number one threat to the integrity, value and growth of sport.”

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