On June 7,2021 – the day before the scheduled match – the pair discussed placing bets online using Ladbrokes.
Police said the friends found the odds were $2.40,with Clarke telling O’Donnell:“It looks like a good little earner for me.” Clarke then made two $2500 deposits into his Ladbrokes account soon after.
On the day of the match,the court heard O’Donnell deliberately played poorly and his team lost the first of three rounds against the Eshays,as the friends had planned.
Police executed search warrants on the duo’s homes on November 20,2021,seizing mobile phones and uncovering the series of Facebook messages.
The court heard that,of the $7000 in winnings they made,Clarke received $5800 and O’Donnell $1200 as part of their joint enterprise.
Clarke was later charged with offences including possessing information about corrupt conduct.
O’Donnell was charged with engaging in conduct that corrupted a betting outcome to obtain a financial benefit.
Magistrate John Hardy placed both men on diversion orders requiring they be of good behaviour for 12 months.
Both must also make donations to charities including the Lost Dog’s Home and Gamblers Help,write a letter of apology to Ladbrokes and pay $7000 back to the online betting agency.
According to the International Esports Federation,the total revenue of the esports industry in 2020 was estimated to be $1 billion,with esports considered to be the fastest-growing sport in the world.
In 2021,the global esports betting market size was predicted to be $US9.7 million ($14.9 million).
When contacted on Monday,Team Bliss’ chief operating officer,Brendan Harms,said the team was shocked to learn of the match-fixing and condemned the behaviour.
“It’s the entire opposite of what our brand stands for,” Harms said.
“Something like this is very concerning to us.”
Harms said while O’Donnell had not played with the Tier 1 team since last year,his actions were deeply disturbing to a group that prides itself on integrity.
Earlier this year,Detective Acting Superintendent Wayne Woltsche said Victoria Police had developed strong relationships with esports stakeholders and betting agencies,and would continue to work together to target any suspicious activity.
”Esports is an emerging sporting industry that only continues to get more popular;however,with that ... comes an increase not only in those wanting to bet on outcomes but also in those willing to try and take advantage of the systems for their own gain,” he said at the time.
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