ATP Tour looking into possible gambling on matches. Betfair in the middle.

TheGeneral+ · Oct 12, 2003

The ATP Tour recently got permission from an online gambling company to see its clients' records, part of an effort to make sure tennis players aren't involved in fixing matches.

''It's another step in our proactive efforts to watch things,'' ATP Tour vice president David Higdon said Saturday by telephone.

''We've been concerned about the possibility of anything of this sort for years, and it's something we've been vigilant about for several years.''

The Sunday Telegraph reported on the agreement with the online gambling company Betfair. The British newspaper also said, without citing a source, that the ATP warned a player about not trying after heavy betting on a match he lost in straight sets.

Higdon said he doesn't know whether particular players are under suspicion.

''We've tightened our rules over the past few years. We repeatedly inform our members our tournaments, our players of the threat'' of match-fixing, Higdon said.

A player guilty of match-fixing would face a $100,000 fine, loss of prize money and a three-year suspension, he said.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/284/sports/ATP_Tour_looking_into_possible:.shtml

933412 · Oct 12, 2003

Looking at some lines on Betfair I have no doubt that some games are fixed.

The enquiry could do well to look at some Argentinian soccer matches whilst they are at it.

The good point about Betfair is these things can stand out like a sore thumb. I bet on a tennis match once with unbelievable value assuming that someone had made a typing error when entering the offer. It was only later that I learned the match had been brought forward and played the previous day! Thankfully Betfair voided and returned my funds.

Glaken · Oct 12, 2003

Interesting thread Sir,

I went to Florida State on a tennis scholarship and have several friends on the tour and coaching. This has got to be happening with players ranked below 100 otherwise I don't see the need for money or the risk.

Railbird · Oct 12, 2003

Matches are not being fixed, its just that some people have inside injury information and they take advantage of it with agressive gambling.

wilheim · Oct 12, 2003

Almost all of the lower world seeded (below 70) players fix matches. They know that they will lose the tournament anyway. Nothing new.

wil.

SrMuny · Oct 12, 2003

Same problem with JAI LAI betting, worse most likely

valueman · Oct 12, 2003

there's too many tournaments for players to be trying all the time - it's all part of the game trying to read their intentions - same as a horse race handicap - knowing that the trainer doesn't really want to pick up a weight penalty when the intended target race is just round the corner. That's what makes gambling interesting.

Railbird · Oct 12, 2003

Goodpost Valueman,

There is players that tank in the NFL every week, but it gets exposed more in tennis because it is mano e mano, 80% of america tanks at work on a daily basis. NBA players tank 99% of the time, they are the most lazy.

TheGeneral+ · Oct 12, 2003

NFL, Tennis, or horses, it should be stopped. it is unethical.

valueman · Oct 13, 2003

general - in an ideal world you are right but its never gonna happen in my life time so we've got accept it. obviously we all welcome measures to curb it but its gonna happen likes its gonna rain here in vancouver.

Railbird · Oct 13, 2003

General,

ITs kind of hard to stop something that isnt happening. British have a habit of lying and fabricating, and that is who is making the accusations, look how much the bbc lie. Tennis is a sport that is very physically demanding on your joints, add in some steroids and that puts even more pressure on your ligaments and joints, of course your going to have defaults, the sport is by far the most physically demanding, in tennis there is no substitute players on the bench, of course you will have some defaults. The reason there is only 1 player from England on the tour is because it is not a game for cowards, and England is country full of cowards.

valueman · Oct 13, 2003

The reason there is only one player on tour from the UK is that tennis is seen as a game for pussies over there and henman is a prize pussy at that. Considering the US resources there not doing so well in the men's tennis arena either.

EarlySpeed · Oct 13, 2003

.... and England is country full of cowards.

Is there any country or nationality that you dont have an opinion of dipshit?

You probably piss your pants every time you have to drive your Gremlin through the projects.

I doubt you have ever had a meaningful conversation with anyone outside of some whitebread accountants in your native Cali.

Railbird · Oct 13, 2003

EarlySpeed,

There is some truth to your post, I live in Hunington Beach,Ca and I am most happy when I dont have to go east of the 405 or north of the 605.

Railbird · Oct 13, 2003

Here is an informative post from an insider

timbo37
Certifiably Crazy
posted October 12, 2003 10:20 AM
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
timbo,

What do you think of all this talk about fixed matches? I think it is bogus, it maybe happened once or twice at the most, I think its just people with inside injury info betting agressive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IMO, the cries of fixes are overblown in most sports, including tennis. Credible, significant information is especially valuable on individual sports such as tennis and golf.

The real controversial issue regarding tennis is in particular is "tanking" because of lack of desire to compete which seems to take place more often in WTA events than ATP.

TheGeneral+ · Oct 13, 2003

The article states the issue is being looked into. if there is a problem found, i hope that the regulating govt makes some good examples of the cheaters.

I can't believe Im caught up in a discussion over tennis

valueman · Oct 13, 2003

You can't expect players to give a 100% all the time with all the tournaments - many times a player has a contactual obligation to turn up, so the sponsors can say number 1 seed R. Federer for example. When the player doesn't want to give 100% in fear of injury or bottoming out they get beat more often than not especially in men's tennis where a player giving 85% will get beat by most players giving 100%. Women's is different there 3 or 4 miles better than the rest.

VOLTITAN · Oct 13, 2003

Sorry General, I didn't see there was already a thread started about this and so I started one with the ESPN.com story on it.

TheGeneral+ · Oct 13, 2003

No big deal VOLTITAN.

have a great evening

TheGeneral+ · Oct 14, 2003

Tennis players reacted strongly Monday to revelations that bookmakers are concerned about matches being fixed on the ATP Tour, and ATP head Mark Miles promised an investigation.
"The people that do break these rules need to be punished," Wayne Ferreira said Monday after his match at Madrid. Jarkko Nieminen, also in Madrid, said if someone did receive such a ban he would not be welcomed back.

ATP rules call for a three-year ban and $100,000 fine for violations.

Internet bookmaking firm Skybet said it has stopped accepting bets for early rounds of minor events. And the ATP and Betfair recently made an agreement similar to one Betfair has with the Jockey Club that allows them to observe betting patterns.

Last week, betting was suspended on a match between Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Fernando Vincente six hours before it was due to begin after receiving bets from "marked accounts." Although there is no suggestion either player was involved in wrongdoing, the Racing Post reported a huge worldwide gamble was made on Vicente, who won 6-2, 6-3. He hadn't won since June, losing 11 first-round matches.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-10-13-gambling_x.htm