I think European soccer is a good case study in what could happen. There have been a number of high profile players who have been suspended due to gambling on the sport as Europe has embraced gambling. They almost brush it off as a bad mistake by the players and they are back, usually within a year, to playing like normal. It feels like it’s starting to be accepted as something that’s just part of the game.
Gambling is a part of the game, or cheating? Either way, the purity of a game is guarded by integrity. Throw the rules out -- or diminish the rules by suggesting they're important but not ultimately important -- and loyalty will fade. Swift and decisive action is needed by the stewards of sport.
Agreed. (Past) Time to state the obvious: invite the fox (gambling) in the henhouse, and it leads to carnage.
Major and drastic changes are needed immediately, or this story will be the tip of the iceberg for sports -- the Titanic iceberg, that is.
I think European soccer is a good case study in what could happen. There have been a number of high profile players who have been suspended due to gambling on the sport as Europe has embraced gambling. They almost brush it off as a bad mistake by the players and they are back, usually within a year, to playing like normal. It feels like it’s starting to be accepted as something that’s just part of the game.
Gambling is a part of the game, or cheating? Either way, the purity of a game is guarded by integrity. Throw the rules out -- or diminish the rules by suggesting they're important but not ultimately important -- and loyalty will fade. Swift and decisive action is needed by the stewards of sport.
Gambling on the game has become normalized, which isn’t good…Totally agree with the integrity of the game being compromised.