Sports gambling is the topic du jour around the globe and the debate doesn’t show any signs of abating any time soon. Many countries are discussing how sports gambling can impact economies, as well as individuals, and there seems to be almost a daily flow of new rules and regulations coming from every corner of the globe to control the space. Now, recommended changes in Australia could soon be introduced that would have wide-spread implications on punters, as well as on players.

If the recommendations are approved, players could be locked up for giving information to bookies and previous minor infractions would be made criminal offenses. Australia would also see the creation of a new law enforcement agency, the national sports integrity commission (NSIC), which would have a generous amount of latitude in its duties.

The NSIC would be comprised of agencies that include the Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Federal Police and the Home Affairs Department. It would be able to request electronic surveillance of officials, athletes and coaches who it feels are involved in fixing matches, even for passing along insider information.

The commission wouldn’t have authority over just the professional sports leagues. It would also be involved in junior and community sports associations, as well. Any athlete convicted of being even remotely connected to organized crime could be sent to prison.