The British Gambling Commission (BGC) and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have named six former Surrey Scorchers players in a basketball match-fixing case that will see heavy sanctions issued.
Surrey Scorchers Players In Hot Water After BGC Basketball Match-Fixing Case
Six former players of Surrey Scorchers have been revealed by the British Gambling Commission in basketball match-fixing case that dates back to the 2022-23 season.
In a joint investigation with the International Basketball Federation and Sport Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU), the BGC lifted the lid on an ongoing basketball match-fixing inquiry that has now named the players involved.
The scrutiny by the parties focused on the British Basketball League (BBL), which dissolved at the end of their 2023-24 season and 38 years.
This investigation found that six former players of the Surrey Scorchers, who were based in Guildford and won the league title in 2006-07.
The players named are – Quincy Taylor, Charleston Dobbs, Shakem Johnston, Padiet Wang and Joshua McFolley.
These ex-Surrey Scorchers players were found to be involved in basketball match-fixing during the 2022-23 campaign – which involved at least six games.
The investigation went into reveal that the players have been involved in taking payments to fix the final result of these matches.
Or were involved in the planning of basketball match fixing, plus wagering on games with the best betting sites in the UK.
Lifetime Bans and Heavy Fines Issues For Basketball Match-Fixing
As a result, the British Basketball Federation issued lifetime bans to the six players, plus a £3,000 fine ($4,080) to both Dobbs and Taylor.
Wand and Johnston were handed worldwide bans by FIBA and McFolley was placed under suspension until September 2034.
While the sixth player in the dock for the basketball match-fixing was Dean Wanliss, who also played for the Surrey Scorchers.
Wanliss was found to have been involved in fixing matches between 2019 and 2021 – which revealed placing bets on certain games on sports betting apps.
The FIBA investigated Wanliss alongside the Spanish Basketball Federation, the International Olympic Committee Monitoring Unit and also the British betting industry.
Where the organisations issued a £3,000 fine and a three-year basketball ban. Saying they take a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to any betting related corruption in the sport.
The British Gambling Commission added, “This case underscores the commitment of FIBA, the BBF, the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders to maintaining integrity in sport and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward betting-related corruption,”
Andy is an experienced betting and gambling journalist with over 20 years industry experience. He brings an excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and industry gambling news.
