Non-League Betting Fine Explained: How the Industry Should Respond

Last week, several news reports surfaced detailing how semi-professional footballer James Byrne has received the largest fine ever given out to a non-league player, as a result of betting on football.

Byrne admitted to placing 992 bets on football matches between February 2015 and November 2024. Players who participate in the fifth tier of English football or below are prohibited from betting on a match or competition in which they are involved that season, or which they can influence, or any other football-related matter concerning the league that they play in.

Byrne, who now plays for Portishead Town in the eighth tier of English football and has played for various non-league clubs after being released by Exeter City, made a net profit of £47,388.86 from those 992 bets. Following an investigation, Byrne has been ordered by the Football Association (FA) to pay back the profits he earned, plus an additional £1,000.

Differences from other cases

There have been a number of high-profile cases in recent years where players have been banned for betting on football, including current and former Premier League players such as Sandro Tonali, Ivan Toney and Joey Barton. Those players were governed by slightly different rules than Byrne, as players above the fifth tier are prohibited from betting on any football match in the world, regardless of whether they could potentially have inside information about those matches.

Fine makes sense

It is a little curious that news reports about the fine have only recently surfaced, as the report outlining the details of the fine was published on August 6. Some media reports hinted Byrne has been punished for beating the bookies. However, the FA’s rules are not tied to whether the player has won or lost from their betting activity.

It is not surprising Byrne has been ordered to pay back his winnings, because if the FA had not ordered him to do so, it could set a dangerous precedent leading to players believing they could potentially keep their winnings from betting on football, even if they have been caught by the FA.

The FA has offered Byrne the potential of a payment plan. Byrne’s pay from football is currently £97.50 per week, although it is unclear what salary he earns from other employment.

Byrne’s misdemeanours

Byrne admitted that from 2017 onwards, he was aware he was in breach of the regulations, but continued to bet on football. In some cases, he bet on matches in which the club he played for at the time were participating.

Byrne works as a sports data consultant and said he had noticed discrepancies in how lower division games can be priced by operators, so he saw great value in betting on those leagues. Some operators had closed his accounts after he had profited.

Byrne’s betting activity in question does not appear to be related in any way to a gambling addiction. Byrne has undertaken gambling addiction therapy sessions, however.

Operators should make noise

A total of 20 betting operators co-operated with the FA as part of its investigation. Given how these types of stories can at times be framed to make the betting industry appear responsible, it is another sign of how important it is for the industry to make clear it is working with the football authorities to help with the issue of players betting on football. Whether that could prevent all breaches, including those committed by Byrne, is unlikely though.