The individuals followed phone voting patterns in order to place the unfair bets, but following a tip off from Betfairâs Integrity Unit, the Gambling Commission voided them under the Gambling Act 2005, the first case of its kind under this law.
“Following a multi-agency investigation led by the Gambling Commission, we are satisfied that the bets placed were substantially unfair as the individuals involved had inside information,” said Nick Tofiluk, the Gambling Commission’s director of regulation. “Appropriate action has been taken to prevent a recurrence of such activity in the future.”
The commission quickly ensured that there was “no evidence that the integrity of the public voting or the TV shows involved were compromised”.
Virgin Media emphasised that this was an âisolated incidentâ? and preventative steps would be taken to ensure that this does not happen again. Apparently the employees have now been dismissed.
With this scandal, amongst hazy futures for Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and the make up of the judging panel, The X Factor moves forward tentatively as the new series approaches fast.