The AFL has been sent a "please explain" by Victoria's gambling regulator on whether teams are tanking - deliberately losing - in order to get higher draft picks.

The Age says that the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation wants assurances from the AFL that tanking is not occurring in the game.

Despite a response from the AFL denying that tanking exists, the gambling commission's head Peter Cohen wants clarification on some issues.

The Age says the commission has the power to act on gambling conditions, such as banning betting on teams near the bottom of the ladder which have the greatest incentive to throw matches.

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