Is The Legalisation Of Sports Betting Curb Match-Fixing?

July 11, 2019, by Toby Banks

Sports Betting

Will The Legalisation Of Sports Betting Curb Match-Fixing?

In the United States of America, up until 2018, betting on sports was outlawed in all states except Nevada, where gambling on single sporting events was allowed. Last year, a law known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act’s (PASPA) drawn up in 1992 was struck down.

PASPA was allegedly guilty of violating the tenth amendment of the constitution, and it was deemed that the legal status of sports betting was within the jurisdiction of the individual states, rather than a federal matter, meaning that States can allow gambling within their boundaries if they like. Within a couple of months, several states had ready decriminalized the activity, and as of now, several more are either in the process of doing so or are considering it.

Sports gambling, regardless of its legal status, has been around in North America for ages. In a report by The American Gaming Association, it was speculated that the black market for illegal wagering was worth up to $150 billion. Numerous reports came out stating that this figure was grossly exaggerated, and that

But with an industry as big as this which has so much money involved, there is bound to be corruption. One of the most significant factors has plagued sports betting, probably since its inception, is match-fixing, where gambling syndicates alter the outcome of a game. It usually involves one side deliberately throwing a game for a sum of money. This phenomenon takes place all across the board, from small competitions with underpaid athletes and officials to the biggest tournaments and leagues in the world.

Will the legalization of sports betting be able to curb match fixing?

Some believe that this is the case. A regulated system would be easier to manage and monitor. Specific bodies or anti-corruption units can be set up for this purpose precisely, to monitor the activity of online sportsbooks, and detect any abnormal activity that could be indicative of tampering. An unregulated sportsbook could easily allow the development of criminal originations. A research article by the University of Otago found that illegal betting markets are a hotbed for match-fixing, are both a consequence and cause of an unmonitored industry. The report also cites the “weak governance of sports organizations” as a causal factor. The lack of a proper structure would allow others to exploit the system for their benefit. With legalization, the possibility of setting up a body to ensure that this is possible.

Despite all of this, the decriminalization of betting on sports will not put a complete end to the corruption found within the industry. As long as people can profit from gambling on sporting events, match-fixing will take place.

Read other sports betting articles in SportsTrade blog.

tag