Its a sad state of affairs......

[dave nz]

When nearly every article you read on the net these days about sports betting, is about coruption in sports betting. With officials betting, players or staff spot fixing or fixing.

One of the biggest challenges for the sports betting Industry, is going to be in 10-20 years, when the next generation become adults. I say this because the growth in sports betting has been huge the last 20 years. Today's children (tomorrows athletes, officials and staff) will have had far more exposure to sports betting than ever before.

When temptation presents itself and in the "Instant" world we live in (which is increasing all the time)......I have some serious concerns for the future of the Industry.

One way or solution if you like, is to have a zero tolerence. Any player, coach or staff member, caught betting on their sport, come down VERY hard.
It is in their contracts that they cannot partake, yet there are numerous examples in the last 10 years where the penalties IMO have not matched the crime. Of course, the huge challenge of this whole issue is trying to catch those involved and moving forward I don't see this getting any easier either.

[dave nz]

Just three recent articles I have read in the last few days. Would have probably read over 40 in the last year and the number is only increasing.


http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...0505-ua5x.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...er/8658170.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010...g-john-higgins

[dave nz]

In the above AFL article (first one) is a classic example of what I find so ridiculous.

"In other betting breaches:

* The Western Bulldogs were fined $7500 after club director Geoff Walsh was found to have placed bets;

* Port Adelaide assistant coach Matthew Primus was suspended for two weeks for placing a $20 multi-bet including a NAB Cup match;

* Two interchange stewards were stood down for the rest of the season - one for placing a bet on a match he officiated in"

It is a breach of all their contracts. In most other lines of work it would be instant dismisal.....as it should be and this case AND MUCH MORE.....can you imagine the director of the Lakers caught to be betting on NBA games and all he gets is a 7K fine, laughable.....no wonder they are having trouble stamping it out.

Then the head of the AFL comes out tonight "We will have a zero tolerence for Illegal gambling"......wake up you clown and get sentences to meet the crime.

[dog]

I think that players that get the most playing time are getting paid enough that I don't know that they would want to help their team lose if it means winning a bet. I know there are other scenarios also, like slowing down the tempo so that a basketball game goes Under, but I still think that any individual impact player in the pros usually is compensated enough that this isn't a giant temptation with the penalties we have now.

It's much tougher for officials and college kids. I think a partial solution might be to start paying referees more money and start paying college athletes who are bringing in the bacon. God knows these teams rake in plenty of revenue.

[Kaysee]

Waiting for the day Joey Crawford is spotted on his blackberry during a break placing a live bet prop on which player will get a foul called against them next

[dave nz]

My posts were largely directed at sports outside of the US. In the US, penalties are IMO rightly harsh enough.....its now for other parts of the world to do the same.