LONDON, April 25, 2019 (TIU Press Release)

Belgian tennis player Benjamin D’Hoe has been suspended and fined after admitting to betting on tennis matches, a breach of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

In a ruling by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer (AHO) Charles Hollander QC, Mr D’Hoe was suspended for six months and fined $3,000. Five months of the ban and $2,500 of the fine are suspended provided the player commits no further breaches of the TACP.

In mitigation, AHO Hollander took into account that the player self-reported his offences to the Tennis Integrity Unit and that no wagers involved matches in which he competed. No other breaches of integrity rules were involved.

The disciplinary decision means that with effect from today, 25 April 2019, Mr D’Hoe cannot compete in, or attend, any tournament or event organised or sanctioned by the governing bodies of the sport for a one month period. Assuming that no further offences are committed, he will be eligible to resume playing tennis from 24 May 2019.

The 22-year old player, currently ranked 386 in ITF World Tennis Tour singles, admitted to placing over 900 mostly low value bets on professional tennis matches between 31 January and 26 February 2017.

The relevant section of the 2017 TACP which relates to betting offences is: 

D.1.a: No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, wager or attempt to wager on the outcome or any other aspect of any Event or any other tennis competition.