A bookmaker continues to work inside the Gold Coast Suns’ dressing room while he is subject to an AFL integrity unit investigation, as the competition’s chief executive Andrew Dillon flagged the apparent conflict of interest will be addressed.
Mark Opie’s gambling firm Okebet was fined $100,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) in 2024 for inducing bets by players at local footy clubs.
Opie – a Richmond Tigers life member who moved to the Suns in 2024 – managed warm-ups for the Suns before their weekend victory over St Kilda in Darwin, despite the investigation being triggered last week.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillion said on Monday the league is looking at the link.
“What I can say is the integrity unit’s aware of it and that we’re liaising with the Gold Coast Suns in relation to that, and there’ll be more to say on that later.”
Asked to address whether it was a good look for the AFL to have a bookmaker inside a club’s dressing room, Dillon repeated: “We’ll have more to say on that later.”
Okebet’s website has stopped offering bets on AFL matches. Opie and the company have not responded to requests for comment.
The issue is the latest triggered by the close proximity of wagering and footy interests, following the resignation of Kane Cornes as an All-Australian selector due to his role hosting a weekly show for Sportsbet.
His Sportsbet showmate Kate McCarthy is set to be allowed to continue as an AFLW All Australian selector because betting is not offered for the women’s team of the year.
The images of Opie, captured on the broadcast, surprised the man who tipped off the AFL to the link last week.
“I’m shocked that Gold Coast let him come on to the ground, it just shows they might not be taking this seriously,” said Gordon Burns.
The 24-year-old describes himself as a “massive Collingwood supporter” who loves the game, but is concerned by the prevalence of betting around the league.
“I’m hoping the AFL runs a thorough investigation,” he said. “And if there are findings, act promptly.”
Burns is a former gambler with Okebet who researched the owners of the firm earlier this year, and discovered the link with the Suns.
The connection had been discussed on message boards for more than a year, but was only acted upon by the AFL when Burns emailed the league last week.
