A History of Betting Scandals

[The Judge]

Orlando Sentinel

July 23, 2007

The NBA on Friday acknowledged the FBI is investigating allegations that a league referee fixed games in which he or associates bet. It would be the first major gambling scandal involving the NBA. Here are other notable gambling cases:

2006: Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet is accused of financing a nationwide gambling ring in which a half-dozen NHL players bet on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball -- but not hockey. Tocchet has accepted a plea bargain that might spare him jail time.

1997: Former Arizona State basketball players Stevin Smith and Isaac Burton Jr. plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit sports bribery in a point-shaving scheme that fixed four Sun Devils games.

1996: Thirteen Boston College football players are suspended for betting on college and pro football and Major League Baseball. Two BC players bet against their team during a loss to Syracuse.

1989: Pete Rose is placed on baseball's permanently ineligible list for gambling on sports -- he denies betting on baseball at the time. Banned from consideration for the Hall of Fame, in early 2004 he admits to betting on the Cincinnati Reds -- always to win, he says -- when he managed them.

1985: Tulane ends its basketball program in the wake of point-shaving allegations. The school resumes basketball in 1989.

1981: Rick Kuhn, a former player at Boston College, and four others are found guilty of conspiring to shave points to fix basketball games in the 1978-79 season. Kuhn later was sentenced to 10 years.

1970: Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain is suspended for three months by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for a 1967 involvement in bookmaking.

1963: Green Bay Packers halfback Paul Hornung and Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alex Karras are suspended indefinitely by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle for betting on their own games. The two stars are reinstated the next year.

1952: Kentucky has its basketball program suspended for the 1952-53 season after a point-shaving scandal. The Wildcats had won the NCAA title in 1951.

1951: Several college basketball teams are caught up in point-fixing schemes. CCNY, Manhattan, Long Island and Bradley are among those involved.

1921: Shoeless Joe Jackson and seven other members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox are given lifetime suspensions by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis for conspiring to fix the World Series in the Black Sox scandal.

[Go Michigan]

very interesting stuff

[Chicago RED]

Good read. I have to say I do not mind a player or a ref. in any sport making a wager. But if they make a wager on a team that they play On or Vs. that is a problem. A player, team, or a ref. that throws a game on purpose due to a wager is worse then a rat. People that do that should be kicked

[revnecro1273]

is usa the only place in the world that has sports and sports gambling? there are a lot more than that globally...and there are a lot bigger ones that have happened compared to some of those that were mentioned there...there was just a big one last year in italy that took all of the focus away from the world champion italian squad of the world cup and focused on the scandal at home

[E_Wrecked]

Originally Posted by revnecro1273

is usa the only place in the world that has sports and sports gambling? there are a lot more than that globally...and there are a lot bigger ones that have happened compared to some of those that were mentioned there...there was just a big one last year in italy that took all of the focus away from the world champion italian squad of the world cup and focused on the scandal at home

Rev, this is a site that is catered to Americans. Most people wouldn't have a clue about international match fixing, for instance. 75% of the USA population probably doesn't realize other countries exist

It can't be stopped, money is involved. People will always try to get around the system.

[dave nz]

Yes coruption globally is spiriling outta control, many aren't aware of how bad it is. As long as I'm on the right side of em its all good.

[Dr. Jack]

Rev always gets offended when only American stuff is mentioned even if it's an American only story. lol

[BigdaddyQH]

I think they forgot the Northwestern University Hoops scandal. At any rate, this is a good barometer to see how much of this goes on. The vast majority of these types of scandals go unnoticed by the public and undected by the authorities. I guess you had better know a little more than just team strengths vs weaknesses when wagering on hoops.

[E_Wrecked]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

Rev always gets offended when only American stuff is mentioned even if it's an American only story. lol

Haha I noticed that too, but he's always been cool with me so that's that.

It is funny though

[Seanie Mac]

joe d always told us to be careful, when money is involved there is always corruption

[BigdaddyQH]

Is their an easier team sport to put the fix in than NBA or College Hoops? I really can't think of one.

[uva3021]

no mention of teddy dupay

guy admitted to shaving points

[E_Wrecked]

Originally Posted by BigdaddyQH

Is their an easier team sport to put the fix in than NBA or College Hoops? I really can't think of one.

Probably, because of the limited amount of players involved. Football would be really hard to fix, I know their was that go from Toledo this year. I think he was giving advice as to whether or not they would or would not cover the alloted spread. Im not sure that he dropped passes or fell on purpose, I just think he said "yes we can" or "no we can't"

Boxing and Tennis would be up up their. Any sport that can be controlled by 1 or 2 people.

Baseball would be waaay hard, not even a "strikey" umpire could fix that. It took like 6 white sox to do the job.

[revnecro1273]

Originally Posted by E_Wrecked

Probably, because of the limited amount of players involved. Football would be really hard to fix, I know their was that go from Toledo this year. I think he was giving advice as to whether or not they would or would not cover the alloted spread. Im not sure that he dropped passes or fell on purpose, I just think he said "yes we can" or "no we can't"

Boxing and Tennis would be up up their. Any sport that can be controlled by 1 or 2 people.

Baseball would be waaay hard, not even a "strikey" umpire could fix that. It took like 6 white sox to do the job.

would think it would be easier...the scoring opps are so few and far between compared to basketball...a ref fuking a dude on a bs call will end up resulting in a punt situation perhaps...whereas a bs call would only handicapp a side for a few minutes perhaps...if they were worth a shit they could get past it...whereas in american football time is of the essence because it takes longer to get into scoring position...one bad call in an american football game the game could easily swing the other way if both sides were considerably eqaul beforehand

[E_Wrecked]

Originally Posted by revnecro1273

would think it would be easier...the scoring opps are so few and far between compared to basketball...a ref fuking a dude on a bs call will end up resulting in a punt situation perhaps...whereas a bs call would only handicapp a side for a few minutes perhaps...if they were worth a shit they could get past it...whereas in american football time is of the essence because it takes longer to get into scoring position...one bad call in an american football game the game could easily swing the other way if both sides were considerably eqaul beforehand

I agree that what you said could happen, but a rush up the middle for 85 yards is just as likely. Even a fluke 10 yard in route and you break the corner for 90 down the sideline.

I was just speaking in terms of easiest because that's what was asked.

The NFL would be the hardest sport to fix, I would bet on that