Bangladesh tighten screw on bookmakers for the World Cup

DHAKA: Local and international bookies are under tight scrutiny after intelligence tip-offs which revealed that they were trying to contact players and officials of sides in the Cricket World Cup, police said on Wednesday.

"Movement of local suspected bookmakers, who also operate as agents of international bookies, are being monitored and often obstructed so that they cannot have access to players and officials," a senior police officer said, requesting not to be identified.

Match-fixing initiated by bookies has plagued the sport over the years.

In a latest action, the International Cricket Council (ICC) this year banned Pakistan fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir and batsman Salman Butt for five years for spot fixing against England.

The trio denied any wrongdoing.

Gambling and bookmaking are banned in Bangladesh but many gangs are involved operating under different sports and community clubs.

The State Minister for Home Affairs, Shamsul Haque Tuku, told reporters separately that to stop match-fixing in the World Cup, suspected international bookies would not be allowed to enter Bangladesh.

"Steps have already been taken so that betting gangs cannot enter into the country with the Cricket World Cup guys," Tuku said.

Tuku made the remarks after officials of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had discussed the betting issue with him.

He said the ICC had earlier sent the details including photographs and passport numbers of 25 bookies to the home ministry to block their entry and movement in the country.