UKGC: Six Basketball Players Face Sanctions

The UK Gambling Commission’s Sport Betting Intelligence Unit (SBIU) supported investigations into match-fixing and regulation breaches within the former British Basketball League (BBL).

The investigations were led by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the British Basketball Federation (BBF) respectively.

Five former Surrey Scorchers players have received fines and sanctions ranging from 10-year bans to lifetime suspensions for manipulating match outcomes and failing to report corrupt activity during the 2022–23 season.

The FIBA led investigation, conducted in collaboration with the BFF, GB betting industry, and other partners, identified at least six compromised matches.

Two players, Quincy Taylor and Charleston Dobbs, were sanctioned by the BBF with lifetime bans and fines. FIBA extended these sanctions globally. Three additional players — Shakem Johnston, Padiet Wang, and Joshua McFolley — were also sanctioned by FIBA, with lifetime or long-term suspensions.

A further former player, Dean Wanliss, was fined and suspended for three years for betting on basketball matches between 2019-21. This investigation was led by the BFF in conjunction with FIBA, the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), the GB betting industry and the International Olympic Committee Monitoring Unit.

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 towards betting-related corruption.