Ahead of 2015 cricket World Cup, Kiwi lawmakers move to make match fixing a crime

Lawmakers in New Zealand have unanimously supported legislation to make match fixing a criminal offense in time for next year’s Cricket World Cup.

A bill providing penalties of up to seven years in prison for those who try to influence the outcome of a sports event or race passed its first reading in Parliament on Thursday and could become law by the end of the year, reports Sport24.

New Zealand’s Justice Minister Judith Collins cited the recent life ban imposed on New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent for involvement in match fixing as an indication New Zealand is not immune to corruption in sport.

Collins described match-fixing as a growing global problem and as the number one threat to sport. (ANI)