Experts Fear Legalizing Nation-Wide Sports Betting May Encourage Match Fixing

May 2018 was a great month for gambling service providers and players across the United States, what with the Supreme Court slashing the parochial Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 in a 6-3 verdict, in favor of legalizing sports betting across the country.

 

The new legislation has opened wide doors for service providers to offer sports betting as one of their prime services. Today, the sports betting market in America is drawing revenues in the billions, and a majority of the US-based gaming centers, casinos, and resorts providing gaming services are cashing in on the highly-lucrative pie.

 

But this chance at striking gold has given rise to a fear that those involved in sports betting may resort to immoral and dishonorable activities like match-fixing, to ensure they reap the rewards of the game.

 

Players in the four major sporting leagues in the United States and experts at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) believe that not establishing strict protocols to govern the management of sports betting in the country, may further encourage match-fixing in big-ticket games like baseball, basketball, and soccer. If the number of fixed matches increases, the group that stands to lose the most is college-level athletes & pro athletes. Considering how many pro and college athletes aren’t paid directly for each game, but are paid through their respective groups and associations, authorities believe that potential match-fixing may cheat the players of their well-deserved pay.

 

What makes matters worse is the gambling-related background of many college-level athletes in the NCAA. According to recent research, 1/4^th of the 22,000 college players evaluated had violated the NCAA’s regulations regarding gambling in the past year. According to NCAA rules, no athlete, coach or employee of the association can take part directly or indirectly in any form of gambling or sports betting.

 

However, many college athletes have not only gambled, but some have also placed bets on other sports matches both pre and post-legalization of sports betting. Such prior involvement in illegal sports gambling may mean that players involved in games may voluntarily seek opportunities to fix a match for higher returns. With some casinos also offering live in-game betting, the possibility of spot-fixing also opens up; something that is very common in international sports teams. Background checks of the students revealed that 13% of the 22,000 students had tried live in-game betting in the past.

 

Statistics like these only serve to make the NCAA and legal authorities wary. Currently, the NCAA is in discussions with the relevant authorities to set up new regulations that can stop players from actively getting involved in sports betting & match-fixing.