Betfair’s sophisticated tracking system unearthed alleged scam

THE race-fixing investigation hinges on records of irregular betting provided to police by the Internet website Betfair.

But Betfair’s sophisticated tracking system only began two years ago and sources said the alleged scam could have been going on for years before that and involved bets placed at racecourses.

Online race betting on Betfair allows punters to “lay” a horse - effectively they act as the bookmaker taking bets from other Internet gamblers. That opens up the possibility that a crooked jockey riding a favourite could be paid to lose and a gambler “laying” that horse on Betfair would win.