AFL investigates Gold Coast Suns staffer Mark Opie over gambling firm links
Consensus Summary
The AFL integrity unit is investigating Gold Coast Suns team manager Mark Opie over his alleged links to the gambling firm Okebet, which was fined $100,000 in 2024 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission for inducing gambling at local football clubs. Opie, a former Richmond team manager and life member, moved to the Suns in 2024 and remains a registered bookmaker in Victoria. The probe was triggered by a complaint from a former Okebet gambler, Gordon Burns, who discovered Opieās connection to the Suns. Despite the investigation, Opie has continued his match-day duties, including managing warm-ups before the Sunsā recent victory over St Kilda in Darwin. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon confirmed the league is aware of the situation and liaising with the Suns but declined to provide further details. The Gold Coast Suns have stated all staff adhere to AFL rules, though coach Damien Hardwick deferred questions about Opieās role to the clubās administration. The issue has reignited concerns about conflicts of interest between AFL figures and bookmakers, following recent controversies involving AFL umpire Nick Foot and former All-Australian selector Kane Cornes.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Mark Opie, a longtime Richmond team manager and Tigers life member, moved to Gold Coast Suns in 2024 and is now under AFL integrity unit investigation for alleged links to gambling firm Okebet.
- Okebet was fined $100,000 in 2024 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for inducing gambling at local footy clubs, including deals with clubs to encourage players to open accounts in 2023.
- Okebetās website has stopped offering bets on AFL matches.
- AFL CEO Andrew Dillon stated the integrity unit is aware of Opieās situation and is liaising with the Gold Coast Suns, but declined to comment further, saying 'thereāll be more to say on that later.'
- Opie was pictured alongside Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick during the Sunsā match-day duties in Darwin, despite the investigation.
- The AFL integrity unit probe into Opie was triggered by a complaint lodged by a former Okebet gambler, Gordon Burns, who discovered Opieās connection to the Suns.
- Opie remains a registered bookmaker in Victoria as part of the Okebet partnership, which was approved in 2021 with three other individuals (now no longer part of the partnership).
- The Gold Coast Suns declined to confirm Opieās employment status but stated all staff adhere to AFL rules and regulations.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Mark Opie was part of a partnership known as Okebet, which appealed its $100,000 fine to VCAT, but the decision was upheld earlier in 2026, prompting VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan to emphasize protecting vulnerable individuals and community institutions from harmful gambling practices.
- The VCAT matter is still formally being determined, and the requirement to pay the penalty has been paused.
- Media outlet Crikey first reported Opieās employment with the Suns and links with Okebet on May 9, 2026.
- Opie managed warm-ups for the Suns before their weekend victory over St Kilda in Darwin, despite the investigation being triggered last week.
- Gordon Burns, a former Okebet gambler, stated he was shocked that Gold Coast let Opie come onto the ground, suggesting the club might not be taking the issue seriously.
- Burns described himself as a 'massive Collingwood supporter' and hopes the AFL runs a thorough investigation and acts promptly.
- Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick defended Opie, stating he would continue his match-day duties despite the investigation, saying 'As far as we're concerned, he'll be doing his role on the weekend.'
- Hardwick directed questions about Opieās role to the clubās CEO, stating 'If you want to take it down that path, talk to the CEO that controls the business aspect of the game.'
- The issue of AFL figures linked to bookmakers was highlighted by the recent resignation of Kane Cornes from the All-Australian selection panel due to his Sportsbet show, while Kate McCarthy was allowed to continue as an AFLW All Australian selector because betting is not offered for the womenās team of the year.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Opie was pictured alongside Hardwick during the Sunsā match-day duties in Darwin, while the ABC article does not explicitly mention this detail in the same context, though it confirms Opie was present during the match-day.
- The Guardian reports the VCAT matter is still formally being determined and the penalty payment is paused, while the ABC does not mention the VCAT appeal or the paused penalty status.
Source Articles
AFL integrity unit to investigate Gold Coast Sunsā team manager over alleged links to gambling firm
Key member of Sunsā dressing room Mark Opie also part of Okebet Okebet fined $100,000 in 2024 for encouraging players to gamble Gold Coast Suns have made an assurance they are acting within AFL rules, despite a key figure inside the clubās dressing room allegedly working with a bookmaking firm which has been subject to disciplinary action by the Victorian regulator for inducing gambling at local footy clubs. Mark Opie, a longtime Richmond team manager and Tigers life member, moved to Gold Coast
Bookmaker subject to AFL integrity unit probe continues in role for Gold Coast Suns
Mark Opie managed warm-ups for Suns in weekendās win over St Kilda AFL CEO Andrew Dillon says league is looking into gambling link A bookmaker continues to work inside the Gold Coast Sunsā dressing room while he is subject to an AFL integrity unit investigation, as the competitionās chief executive Andrew Dillon flagged the apparent conflict of interest will be addressed. Mark Opieās gambling firm Okebet was fined $100,000 by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) in 2024 f
Hardwick defends Suns staffer amid AFL betting probe
Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick says team manager Mark Opie will continue his match-day duties despite being investigated by the AFL integrity unit over his links to a bookmaking firm.