Illegal offshore bookmakers have been targeting Canberra Capitals matches with security being asked to remove people from the venue in a bid to stamp out corruption.
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Online sports betting agencies are offering live odds on WNBL matches and deploy "courtsiders" to feed live game updates back via their online device.
![Canberra Capitals games have come under the microscope. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Canberra Capitals games have come under the microscope. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc7843iy16th118pwc1i82.jpg/r0_154_5338_3167_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Capitals general manager Lucille Bailie says security have removed a number of courtsiders at the club's home games, which are split across the National Convention Centre and AIS Arena, this season.
A rise in crowd numbers means the onus is on club staff and security to remain vigilant when the club meets the Southside Flyers at the Convention Centre on Sunday.
Up to half a dozen security officers will join the Capitals' match day staff consisting of employees and volunteers in the battle to eliminate courtsiders at WNBL games.
"It is a fairly regular occurrence at our home games," Bailie said.
"The WNBL have got a pretty switched on integrity unit, and at the start of the season we spoke about this.
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"There are some standard operating procedures. We brief security on match day and they're unreal. Collectively, match day management and security keep our eyes peeled and put those procedures in place.
"We have eliminated, or removed, a number of people from the venue at numerous home games. It's part of our standard match day operations.
"It's not a new issue for Basketball Australia, or the NBL, or a lot of professional sporting codes. They've got good processes and ways to identify people that they have put in place.
"It's very much something that is now evident at WNBL matches. We're really happy with the policies and procedures BA have briefed us all on.
"The local security people are terrific."
![Capitals crowds have continued to surge throughout their championship defence. Picture: Jamila Toderas Capitals crowds have continued to surge throughout their championship defence. Picture: Jamila Toderas](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc77m24zonr5x17euu4nqt.jpg/r0_256_5000_3078_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Staff are instructed to keep their eyes peeled for people with multiple devices such as two phones, or a phone and a tablet.
The sight of someone sitting alone while talking on their phone can also be a red flag should that spectator be recounting the events of the game as it transpires.
It is believed the majority of courtsiders being busted are international students largely unaware of the consequences.
Bailie is rapt with staff and security's response with the Capitals averaging home crowds of 1361 this season.
"As our crowds increase and match days become bigger, there is higher patronage and we're becoming more professional in lots of ways," Bailie said.
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"We're tightening up and making sure we're putting on a professional event and match day.
"We may have been loose in some areas, we're becoming more professional. It's a good evolution of the sport."
WNBL ROUND NINE
Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Southside Flyers at National Convention Centre, 5pm. Tickets from Ticketek.