Don’t be deceived. It’s not about football and certainly not about a footballer with a gambling problem. It’s about conflict of interests, insider trading, judicious decision making, ethical behaviour, organisational culture and consequences. The Heath Shaw betting scandal incident is as relevant to corporate Australia as an annual report. Sport is not immune to employee responsibility and common sense and the AFL has jumped to send that message. 
It is not the Aussie fair go or good Employee Relations practice to scapegoat someone to send a message, but it is also important to recognise that any action an organisation does or doesn’t take, does send a message. We will all have different opinions on whether or not the AFL threw the book at Heath Shaw for doing what he did, but no one can argue they have taken the (legitimate) opportunity to send a very loud clear message to all for the deeds of one. 
The nexus between betting and sport just as alcohol and sport (or tobacco sponsorship of sport still in some parts of the world) is ugly and dangerous. And common sense and ethical decision making are not always common.