#4. Maro Itoje’s agent
In April 2018, the agent of England rugby player Maro Itoje, Matt Hart of Stellar Management Group, who also represents high-profile athletes such as Gareth Bale, was banned for two years for placing over 1,400 bets on rugby matches, which is a violation of the sport’s rules.
He received a 22-month suspension for two offenses. The investigation revealed that Hart placed bets on 1,476 rugby matches worldwide over a three-and-a-half year period between January 2013 and July 2016, using a Bet365 account registered under his name, and profited from the successful bets.
The account received deposits of over £650,000 during that period.
An independent panel organized by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and chaired by Philip Evans QC, found that Matt Hart’s betting behavior was ‘extensive and frequent’ and could be considered as high-stakes.
The panel also revealed that between March and April 2016, Hart placed 10 bets totaling more than £138,000, with the highest individual bet being worth £16,234.59.
