Cricket Council Official: Gambling Still Present

KARACHI, Pakistan – As reported by the (Pakistan) News International: "A senior official of the Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has admitted that gambling was still present in cricket but insisted there had been a big reduction in the involvement between players and bookmakers.

"'Bookmaking is still very much part of the sport. But I think we have succeeded to a big extent in keeping the players clear of corrupt elements seeking to soil the sport to make easy money,' ACU Regional Security Manager Lt. Colonel (retd) Nuruddin Khawaja said on Thursday.

"Admitting that professional bookies were still placing large sums of money on international cricket matches, he said the specific aim of the ACU and its regional security managers was to ensure the players were safeguarded from being corrupted by the bookies, punters and gamblers mafia.

"…He said in this direction the ACU and its regional security officers had made a lot of ground.

"…He also made it clear that if the regional security officers spotted something suspicious they reported to the ACU, which had two investigating officers to specifically follow up on the case…"

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