Police called in to investigate suspicious betting on NBL game

AUCKLAND: Police have been called in to investigate allegations of illegal betting in the National Basketball League.

After inquiries from NZME, NBL chairman and Basketball New Zealand chief executive Iain Potter yesterday confirmed the police have been asked to investigate further into the allegations of ‘‘inappropriate betting’’.

‘‘Basketball New Zealand was recently advised of allegations of inappropriate betting activities linked to a National Basketball League game. It is imperative that the integrity of our sport be protected,’’ Potter said.

‘‘We have referred the allegations to the New Zealand Police and they have decided to pursue this further, which we welcome.’’

Earlier, Potter confirmed the league was looking into a game late last month between the Taranaki Mountain Airs and the Supercity Rangers.

With just two seconds remaining on the clock, a shot from the Airs reduced the Rangers’ lead to nine points — 9485.

While teams would traditionally run out the clock when up by a hefty margin with little time left, the Rangers took a timeout and, on the resulting inbounds play, hit a threepointer on the buzzer to win by 12 points. One of the popular options available to bet on at the TAB is for a team to win by 11 points or more.

Rangers coach Jeff Green, who has denied any wrongdoing by his team, said the final timeout was called to give a departing player the final shot.

Video of the game shows several Rangers players appeared to be furious when the Airs reduced the deficit to nine points with two seconds remaining, while the lastsecond shot caused scenes of celebration among the same players.

Under Basketball New Zealand’s internal regulations, a basketballer playing in a game commits an offence if they wager anything of value in connection with any game or event conducted by or under the auspices of BBNZ, or offer, give, solicit or accept anything of value to or from any person with the intent to influence any player’s efforts in a game.

‘We’ve been advised to refrain from making further comment while the investigation is carried out,’’ Potter said. ‘‘Both parties have and will continue to offer their full cooperation with the investigation.’’ — NME