by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
The four players - Simon Goodwin, Kieren Jack, Daniel Ward, and David Hale - caught gambling on AFL matches have all been ordered to undergo counseling. Three were fined. The crimes and punishments:
Simon Goodwin, Adelaide: placed four bets on football matches totaling $16,024.58 although two of those bets (totaling $12,000) were placed by a friend using Goodwin's telephone account. Compulsory continued counseling and a $40,000 with half of that suspended.
Daniel Ward, Melbourne: 18 bets on football totaling $3705.00. He will also undergo counseling and was fined $10,000 with half suspended. He also offered himself for 100 hours of community service to Berry Street, a child protection charity.
David Hale, Kangaroos: placed four bets totaling $100. He was given a suspended $5000 fine and ordered to undergo counseling.
Kieren Jack, Sydney: two bets totaling $10. He will also receive counseling but escaped with only a reprimand and no fine.
The AFL also announced that the any player caught gambling in the future would be suspended and face possible deregistration. The fines will be donated to support services for problem gamblers.
Shortly after the sanctions were announced, Simon Goodwin and Daniel Ward both admitted to having a gambling addiction and both said they had sought treatment in the past, but did not follow through. Both now believe that with the help and support of family, friends, and their clubs, they can overcome their addiction to gambling.
Source: Melbourne Age & Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release
The four players - Simon Goodwin, Kieren Jack, Daniel Ward, and David Hale - caught gambling on AFL matches have all been ordered to undergo counseling. Three were fined. The crimes and punishments:
Simon Goodwin, Adelaide: placed four bets on football matches totaling $16,024.58 although two of those bets (totaling $12,000) were placed by a friend using Goodwin's telephone account. Compulsory continued counseling and a $40,000 with half of that suspended.
Daniel Ward, Melbourne: 18 bets on football totaling $3705.00. He will also undergo counseling and was fined $10,000 with half suspended. He also offered himself for 100 hours of community service to Berry Street, a child protection charity.
David Hale, Kangaroos: placed four bets totaling $100. He was given a suspended $5000 fine and ordered to undergo counseling.
Kieren Jack, Sydney: two bets totaling $10. He will also receive counseling but escaped with only a reprimand and no fine.
The AFL also announced that the any player caught gambling in the future would be suspended and face possible deregistration. The fines will be donated to support services for problem gamblers.
Shortly after the sanctions were announced, Simon Goodwin and Daniel Ward both admitted to having a gambling addiction and both said they had sought treatment in the past, but did not follow through. Both now believe that with the help and support of family, friends, and their clubs, they can overcome their addiction to gambling.
Source: Melbourne Age & Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release
Article last changed on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 10:38 PM EST