Mark King, a professional snooker player, has been banned for five years by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) after being found guilty of match-fixing and providing inside information for betting purposes.
The charges stem from his match against Joe Perry on 13 February 2023, which triggered a WPBSA investigation following suspicious betting patterns. An inquiry, conducted in collaboration with Sportradar and the UK Gambling Commission’s (UKGC) Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, uncovered King’s involvement in both fixing the match and sharing betting-related information.
Further evidence linked King to a similar offense involving a match against John Higgins on 13 December 2022. The disciplinary committee concluded that he had breached WPBSA regulations, resulting in a five-year suspension and an order to pay £68,299.50 in costs. King can appeal the decision until 28 November 2024.
WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson expressed disappointment, stating: “The integrity of this sport will always be our number one priority. This case demonstrates that every effort will be made to ensure snooker remains free from corruption.”
John Pierce, UKGC Enforcement Director, emphasized the importance of protecting the fairness of betting markets, warning that “betting-related corruption in sport will not be tolerated.”
This case follows a string of betting-related scandals in UK sports, including high-profile breaches in football involving players such as Ivan Toney, Sandro Tonali, and Harry Toffolo.
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