The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) is banning British snooker pro Mark King from the sport for five years. King’s exile from the world of professional snooker comes after an investigative committee at the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) found that King had both fixed professional snooker matches and provided insider information to gamblers.
King’s ban relates specifically to a match that took place on February 13, 2023. The WPBSA suspended King shortly after the match when suspicious betting patterns were detected. The investigation also revealed that King had engaged in similar activities in other professional matches in 2023.
John Pierce, Gambling Commission Enforcement Director commented on the situation saying, “All betting customers in Britain should have confidence that bets placed with licensed gambling businesses are on markets that are fair and free from betting-related corruption.
“This is why our Sports Betting Intelligence Unit will always work closely with partners such as the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association to support their sporting integrity investigations and allegations of match fixing.
“Today’s announcement should send a clear message that betting-related corruption in sport will not be tolerated.”
WPBSA Chairman, Jason Ferguson summed up the case saying, “This case is testament to the fact that no stone will ever be left unturned in ensuring that the hundreds of millions of snooker fans worldwide, and our many global partners, can have full confidence in this incredible sport.”
Alongside the ban on professional play, King was also hit with a £68,299.50 ($87,000 USD) by the WPBSA.