- Casino
- By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- By State
- Slots
- Poker
- Sports
- Esports
Fact-checked by Stoyan Todorov
Case Against Teacher Who Allegedly Ran Illegal Betting with Students Not to Proceed
A magistrate’s lack of professionalism in Australia has collapsed a case against the alleged ringleader of an illegal betting operation

The case targeting a betting ring, allegedly run by a teacher, Phil Saunders, with the help of his students, has hit a dead end after the magistrate presiding over the case has been overheard expressing bias before trial, arguing that he “couldn’t wait” to find the defendant guilty.
Magistrate’s Lack of Impartiality Endangers Important Case
Saunders, who works at Wollongong High, stood accused of indecent assault of a person under his authority, indecent assault of a person under 16, gambling with a minor, and intimidation.
Michael Ong, who was the magistrate due to preside over the case and a hearing, was supposedly overheard saying that he was keen to find the defendant guilty and “move onto the next thing,” expressing unacceptable prejudice and failing to observe the impartiality of his profession.
What happens next is difficult to say, but a new hearing will have to be scheduled. The case against Saunders is built on the testimony of witnesses who said that they had seen a whiteboard with what appeared to be sports wagers on the English Premier League – a topflight soccer competition.
On top of that, Saunders is alleged to have collected the bets from students, who brought the money to his desk. These allegations have never been substantiated so far, other than the witness statements that are yet to make an appearance in court.
According to media sources, a colleague of Saunders’ has stated that the man had been betting on horse races at weekends – something which Saunders himself confirmed but denied placing bets on soccer games of any kind.
It Never Happened, Argues Magistrate
Ong, who recused himself from the case, has denied ever uttering the statement cited by media outlets. He insisted that was never the case and he had shown no bias against the defendant. In the meantime, a prosecutor alleged that a police officer had tipped them off, and offered a written statement that Ong was indeed looking to secure a guilty verdict for Saunders.
“I deny any of the words against the accused in this matter attributed to me in the statement. I do not hold a bias towards the accused now or at any time. I do not accept any bias before these proceedings,” Long snapped back.
Even though Ong has denied wrongdoing, he has found it appropriate to recuse himself from the case entirely. Legal bills will continue to stack up as a new hearing date is appointed under a new magistrate.
Although Fiona doesn't have a long-spanning background within the gambling industry, she is an incredibly skilled journalist who has built a strong interest in the constantly growing iGaming network. The team at Gambling News is glad to have her on our roster to help deliver the best stories as soon as they hit. Aside from writing, she loves to dabble in online casino games such as slots and roulette, both for her own enjoyment and also as research to better improve her understanding of the industry.
Previous Article
Sports
October 16, 2024
Private Company Steps up to Bolster Security Staff Shortage at Vegas Casinos
More Articles
Casino
September 5, 2025
Sting Operation Leads to 28 Arrests in Florida’s Latest Gambling Case
Sports
September 5, 2025
NZ Sporting Bodies Warn of Funding Crisis Over Online Gambling Bill
Industry
September 5, 2025
India Hikes GST on Real Money Gaming and Betting to 40%
Legal
September 5, 2025
Lucas Paquetá Plans on Suing FA After Betting Case Falls Apart
Legal
September 4, 2025
Malaysian Police Bust Illegal Online Gambling Ring, Arrest 34
Sports
September 4, 2025
UFC Fight Nights Heads to Galaxy Arena for 2026-2029 Series
Sports
September 4, 2025
Gambling Isn’t Bad If Done Responsibly, Says Leading US Trade Group
Sports
September 4, 2025
Juventus vs. Inter Milan 2025-26 Serie A Odds, Time, and Prediction
Business
September 4, 2025
Polymarket Cleared to Relaunch US Prediction Market
Industry
September 4, 2025
Report Shows Rise in Youth Gambling and Gaming in BC
Sports
September 3, 2025
Paddy Power Teams Up with the NFL in the UK and Ireland