posted Oct 30, 2007

Opinion,

I replied to your article yesterday, but my post was rejected by the moderator for being "off-topic". Seems that the BBC is a bit touchy about gambling!

Interesting revelation from Arnaud Clement today - although he hasn't gone public with the details. I just wonder whether this will open the floodgates to many more such revelations from tennis professionals. Maybe Andy Murray was right first-time around!

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posted Oct 30, 2007

I agree it's not good to preach, but there needs to be a recognition of the ultimate effects of certain activities by those who are engaged in them.

There can be no doubt that gambling on sporting events creates an environment that supports match-fixing. Without a system that facilitates gambling on a large scale, match-fixing would not exist.

We all make choices but should take responsibility for the consequences of those choices. If we bet money on tennis matches, then we contribute to the corruption of the sport. Another topical example would be if we choose to drive rather than cycle, then we contribute to the emissions that are damaging the environment.

Wingfields - try not to confuse gambling and risk-taking. Gambling (or betting)involves staking money on the possible outcome of an event yet to happen in the hope of gaining more money (at the expense of those who've also gambled and lost). Nobody gambles by stepping out of their front door!

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posted Oct 30, 2007

The Opinion - I have a feeling you are going to set a new record for posts on a thread (including mine) deleted by the moderators. You have struck a raw nerve with some individuals on a key issue of public interest.

So I will not mention the nefarious activities with which gambling is inextricably linked, but just applaud McTyke for an accurate summary of the issues at hand.

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posted Oct 30, 2007

Gambling is outlawed in Pakistan; corruption in Pakistani cricket is, by all accounts, rife.

Only thing that can be done in Tennis, as in any sport, is to severely punish those caught and hope everyone comes to the conclusion that the risks far outweigh potential windfalls.

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posted Oct 31, 2007

Geracka - I know nothing of this bribery you allege in Pakistan, or whether there is a single shred of proof.

But surely you do not mean to imply that there is no way for money to be wagered in a country outside Pakistan, and for a member of the team to be paid off inside it?

I repeat my appeal to the Board, in a post earlier deleted, to call for all gambling on tennis matches to be suspended once the first ball has been struck.

Surely now, even the most effete of gamblers will not complain about this post?

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posted Oct 31, 2007

I am writing this as a near County standard player, and one who has consistently made profits from tennis betting since 2001.

As I see it, there are several reasons for "tanking" matches - in decreasing order of frequency:

1. The injury tank arises when a player has a niggle or develops one. They could play on or they could stop. They stop. Typically the game score is 4-6, 1-4 at the time of the retirement.

2. The appearance money tank. By definition, only by a big name or top 10 player. Lower ranking events pay them good money just to enter. They then lose in round 1 or 2 to a player they'd normally beat 5 times out of 6.

3. The preparation tank. Normally occurs the week after a top performance with a big event such as a Slam the next week. Perhaps a bridge too far for the legs. Again this is more normal for a top 10 player who expects to make week 2 of the Slam.

4. The betting tank.

You can't make profits on tennis betting in my view without being aware of tanks 1 to 3 above. Some players - mainly WTA - I will never bet on in early rounds, and frequently oppose them just on the prospect of a tank.

Betting is the symptom not the problem. It throws a harsh spotlight on the match throwing that has been going on, and adds a new profit dimension.

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posted Oct 31, 2007

Gambling on cricket is a thriving industry in Pakistan and India, but being part of the black economy it is completely unregulated, which makes it all the worse. A couple of articles explain the problem better than I can:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/24/woolmer124.xml

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/03/24/schugh24.xml

Banning gambling on sport doesn't stop it occurring, it simply makes malpractices harder to spot.

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posted Oct 31, 2007

G - I suggested banning gambling on tennis matches that had already begun. I am willing to ignore the people-trafficking to which much gambling is linked, but cannot disregard its direct effect on tennis matches. That is a step too far.

I suggest, however, that money laundering would be far more difficult through an unregulated gambling superstructure, because the aim is to secure legitimacy for cash through recognised legal structures, such as big name bookmakers.

Remember, nothing has been proved against Davydenko. If someone uncovers an audit trail leading from the mafia to him, I'll eat my words, but it hasn't happened yet and probably won't. Innocent until proven guilty.

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posted Oct 31, 2007

tennis-the-menace

Err...human trafficking? Youre saying this isnt as bad as a tennis match?

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