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Omahan
Posts:3699
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| 02/10/2008 9:52 AM |
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Nikolay Davydenko finds himself at the heart of the most recent sports scandal rather than focused on winning tennis matches. He claims (like Roger Clemens in baseball) that he is entirely innocent. That is his version of the most recent scandal to present itself to a sports world already tainted with Steroids and Spygate scandals that smear newspaper sports sections and consume TV moments with regularity these days. This scandal was introduced to most via ESPN‘s “Inside the lines.”
The tennis betting scandal particulars:
Davydenko’s predicament came during a match he played in Sopot, Poland in the summer of 2007. At the time he was ranked 4th in the world and his opponent Martin Vassallo Arguello was ranked 117th. Prior to the match and then during the match calls and messages flooded the offices of Betfair, Brittains largest betting company. Under normal circumstances, this match between Davydenko and Arguello would have been a mere footnote to the gambling activity of that day. Something was clearly amiss. Particularly, two extremely large transactions had registered on Betfair’s ledger in favor of Arguello. When those bets arrived, Arguello was already down one set. Davydenko eventually retired with a foot injury in the Sopot clay, giving Argentina's Arguello a 2-6, 6-3, 2-1 victory.
Betfair refused to pay out on Davydenko's defeat. Seven million dollars in wagers, 10 times more than normal for such a match, swung to Arguello even after Davydenko won the first set.
Betfair is known in the online gambling industry as an "exchange." Betfair represents a marriage of Internet sports betting and day trading. Unlike american gambling sites, where bookmakers set the odds, Betfair allows the punters to set their own odds and to bet at any point during play. The company simply matches up gamblers who agree to take opposite sides on bets and takes a fee.
Davydenko contends that he was injured and has ATP documents confirming such. He also claims fatigue from playing more matches during that time span than anyone else in the top 10. Oddly, tennis ranks 3rd in betting in Europe as a sport. This type of activity is characterized by most as “unheard of in any tennis match prior.” As recently as last October Davydenko has been assessed code violations by judges in ATP matches for not giving his best effort during the match. Again he claims fatigue and stress from the allegations as the reason for his lack of effort.
Like Clemen’s, Davydenko proclaims innocence. "I never bet in my life. I don't know how you can bet and I don't know guys who bet. If I'm like profitting from betting, I can do money for all tournaments... losing first round.
"What is reason for me to do something? I need to still keep my position good. If I lose points, I lose ranking and go down." he said.
This match sparked a probe into the matter and left the stain of match-fixing and betting around Davydenko with fears of more widespread problems in the sport. In a sports world already saturated with scandals and allegations, this one would seem small potatoes. Even Russian Mob/Mafia has been linked to several Russian players.
At very least, an American player has yet to be introduced as a participant in this particular scandal. A link with Andy Roddicks opinion:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/andy-roddick-on-the-tennis-betting-scandal/163845464
The real tragedy in all of these scandals is those whom are innocent. Whether they are proved innocent in the courtroom or are innocent and never receive "official" determination of such. It would seem the burden of dirt has always rode on the shoulders of the accused.
In effect, once you are linked to a scandal. You will always be remembered in that capacity.
Public Opinion is the harshest judge of all.
While it would appear that Davydenko clearly was involved in this situation from an "insider's" standpoint. If he wasn't I doubt he will ever recover from the emotional, financial and physical effects of damage incurred from the allegations. IMO, that is the most tragic single aspect of scandal.
If a person is a player in breaking the laws, then punishment is justice.
If a person is cleared of allegations, then what would be justice for them?
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IrememberDukester
Posts:2404
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| 02/10/2008 12:26 PM |
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That question should have been answered by Richard A. Jewell after the Clinton Administration (Janet Reno) and NBC News ruined his life when he had absolutely nothing to do with the Olympic bombings except save peoples lives.
Makes this tennis thing look like small spuds to me!
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Omahan
Posts:3699
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| 02/10/2008 1:49 PM |
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Classic example dukie. I know Jewell died sometime ago and has very young when he went. Begs to wonder if the trauma impacted his death, I'm sure it did.
Jewell I know did sue and win many cases but his case is exactly what I'm talking about. He never recovered. And Reno offered an apology and swift kick in the azz to him for her part.
If this tennis situation results in Davydenko being innocent, it will be very similar to Jewell's. Davydenko may even suffer more as the precious moments of his window of opportunity to be a top level tennis player tick away.
There has got to be someway to implement a law (even if it starts at the state level initially) that would stipulate in detail a process to assist the wrongly accused. Too often these people are exonerated in court and everything they lost in the process is just chalked up as part of the process.
Maybe some state like Utah or South Dakota will take the bull by the horns and inact law to that affect one day. I hope so. |
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Crit40
Posts:2483
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| 02/11/2008 8:47 AM |
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I read about this a month or so back. One thing that I question is why would the betting service accept two large bets after the match had already started?
Definitely interesting. |
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Counting the Herd one hoof at a time. |
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Omahan
Posts:3699
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| 02/11/2008 9:14 AM |
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"Betfair allows the punters to set their own odds and to bet at any point during play."
In case you didn't know, a Punter in europe is a professional bettor. In England winnings are not taxable and many make a living doing it. The rules of betting are vastly more wide open than here in the states. Betfair doesn't actually make the odds or take the bet. The bet is made between parties that peruse the website. You can name your odds an all.
So I would be lead to believe that Betfair is similar to ebay here in that they are a middle man that profits on making the bets legit by backing the the source. The peice by Bob Lee (one of my fav ESPN guys) was interesting to me because it illustrated how liberal economy is in England.
It's a free-for-all! |
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Crit40
Posts:2483
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| 02/11/2008 9:27 AM |
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| So why is Betfair refusing to pay? They are seemingly not out anything? |
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Counting the Herd one hoof at a time. |
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Omahan
Posts:3699
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| 02/11/2008 9:32 AM |
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They are alleging conspiracy/scandal. I'm obviously not armed with enough knowledge of all of the betting regulations overseas to make any comment on your post.
From a speculatory angle I would say that it would involve ethics. I would say there is language in the laws that takes a stance against match fixing.
I found this information on their website:
What is Betfair?
Betfair is the world's leading betting exchange, a concept it pioneered.
All bets on Betfair are placed there by users who either want to bet for a selection or outcome in the normal way (back), or bet against a selection or outcome (lay). Bets are matched between people with opposing views.
In addition to the exchange Betfair has an established games portfolio, including Betfair Poker, Betfair Casino and a number of exchange-enabled games.
Betfair is a licensed bookmaker in the UK. It also has licences in Australia, Malta, Austria and Germany.
Why Betfair?
Betfair offers you unprecedented choice, value and control.
You can bet that an outcome will happen (back) or that it won't happen (lay).
You can choose the odds you want to play at
You can bet whilst the game is in play.
You can play on a range of products and innovative games
How do I use the Exchange?
Back or lay
When you "back" a selection (be it an individual, a team, horse, dog or other), you are betting that it will win. This is just like betting with a conventional bookie.
When you "lay" it, you are betting against it winning. For example, if you're betting in a market on which team is going to win the Premiership and you lay Man Utd, you offer odds to other punters who wish to back Man Utd. If Man Utd don't win, then you pick up the backer's stake. If Man Utd wins, then you pay out. This is what bookmakers traditionally do.
Although Betfair knows who is on each side of every bet matched through the exchange, you never know who you are betting against. Your privacy and the confidentiality of your bets is maintained by Betfair's secure site.
Choose your odds
If you want better odds than are currently available, you can place an order for a better price, but be realistic because there has to be somebody prepared to lay the bet at those odds, and vice versa.
Take a look at the odds before an event and you will see them change as Betfair members back and lay their bets. The odds often improve nearer to the off as the number of people in the market increases.
Who is behind Betfair?
Betfair is the trading name of Betfair Limited. Betfair Limited is registered as a limited liability company in England and Wales, company number 5140986. The registered office of Betfair Limited is at:
The Waterfront,
Hammersmith Embankment,
London,
W6 9HP.
Betfair Limited was founded in August 1999 by Andrew Black and Edward Wray in order to commercialise proprietary betting technology that had been under development for the preceding year.
The technology used by Betfair Limited is proprietary and, as well as being protected by copyright, is the subject of a patent application that has been filed with the United Kingdom Patent Office.
Betfair Limited is located in the United Kingdom and operates within the confines of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963. It holds a bookmaker's permit in England and Wales.
For any enquiries concerning the company please go to the Contact us section.
Is betting with Betfair safe?
Your full card details are encrypted and sent over the internet only once - when you register your card.
Your card details remain encrypted and are stored on Betfair's secure server.
Betfair uses DataCash and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as our secure payment partners.
Betfair possesses a BT TrustWise Secure Server Certificate, has a bookmaker's permit and is registered as a limited liability company in England and Wales. |
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IrememberDukester
Posts:2404
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| 02/11/2008 9:02 PM |
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Posted By Omahan on 02/11/2008 9:32 AM
They are alleging conspiracy/scandal. I'm obviously not armed with enough knowledge of all of the betting regulations overseas to make any comment on your post.
From a speculatory angle I would say that it would involve ethics. I would say there is language in the laws that takes a stance against match fixing.
I found this information on their website:
What is Betfair?
Betfair is the world's leading betting exchange, a concept it pioneered.
All bets on Betfair are placed there by users who either want to bet for a selection or outcome in the normal way (back), or bet against a selection or outcome (lay). Bets are matched between people with opposing views.
In addition to the exchange Betfair has an established games portfolio, including Betfair Poker, Betfair Casino and a number of exchange-enabled games.
Betfair is a licensed bookmaker in the UK. It also has licences in Australia, Malta, Austria and Germany.
Why Betfair?
Betfair offers you unprecedented choice, value and control.
You can bet that an outcome will happen (back) or that it won't happen (lay).
You can choose the odds you want to play at
You can bet whilst the game is in play.
You can play on a range of products and innovative games
How do I use the Exchange?
Back or lay
When you "back" a selection (be it an individual, a team, horse, dog or other), you are betting that it will win. This is just like betting with a conventional bookie.
When you "lay" it, you are betting against it winning. For example, if you're betting in a market on which team is going to win the Premiership and you lay Man Utd, you offer odds to other punters who wish to back Man Utd. If Man Utd don't win, then you pick up the backer's stake. If Man Utd wins, then you pay out. This is what bookmakers traditionally do.
Although Betfair knows who is on each side of every bet matched through the exchange, you never know who you are betting against. Your privacy and the confidentiality of your bets is maintained by Betfair's secure site.
Choose your odds
If you want better odds than are currently available, you can place an order for a better price, but be realistic because there has to be somebody prepared to lay the bet at those odds, and vice versa.
Take a look at the odds before an event and you will see them change as Betfair members back and lay their bets. The odds often improve nearer to the off as the number of people in the market increases.
Who is behind Betfair?
Betfair is the trading name of Betfair Limited. Betfair Limited is registered as a limited liability company in England and Wales, company number 5140986. The registered office of Betfair Limited is at:
The Waterfront,
Hammersmith Embankment,
London,
W6 9HP.
Betfair Limited was founded in August 1999 by Andrew Black and Edward Wray in order to commercialise proprietary betting technology that had been under development for the preceding year.
The technology used by Betfair Limited is proprietary and, as well as being protected by copyright, is the subject of a patent application that has been filed with the United Kingdom Patent Office.
Betfair Limited is located in the United Kingdom and operates within the confines of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963. It holds a bookmaker's permit in England and Wales.
For any enquiries concerning the company please go to the Contact us section.
Is betting with Betfair safe?
Your full card details are encrypted and sent over the internet only once - when you register your card.
Your card details remain encrypted and are stored on Betfair's secure server.
Betfair uses DataCash and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as our secure payment partners.
Betfair possesses a BT TrustWise Secure Server Certificate, has a bookmaker's permit and is registered as a limited liability company in England and Wales.
Great information, I plan on forwarding this tidbit of information to a couple of the State Legislators I know in Des Moines.
This is something the State of Iowa should add to its arsenal of casino gambling!
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Omahan
Posts:3699
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| 02/12/2008 6:02 AM |
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For the person educated in the ways of gambling, I would assume Betfair's liberal approach would be very appealling.
It would probably never fly in the US though. You know that. |
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vranged
Posts:2813
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| 02/12/2008 9:37 AM |
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Speaking of gambling, did you hear Charles Barkley on Rome yesterday? He says for the two weeks leading up the Super Bowl, he was convinced that the Giants would win the Super Bowl. Then, the day before the game, the talking heads on SportsCenter convinced him otherwise, so he changed his bet.
He lost $400,000, by betting the Pats. I'm sure Vegas was very happy that happened, because I heard Vegas lost MILLIONS on the Super Bowl, b/c everyone was betting the Giants. Could have been worse...
Chuck is one of the best interviews around. |
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After acknowledging that he was desperate, Dwight said "people will resort to saying things they know aren't true when they are desperate." That about sums it up! |
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Omahan
Posts:3699
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| 02/12/2008 9:42 AM |
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| Barkley seems to be a guy that likes to gamble. He has spoke about it (amongst everything else he talks about) recently and says he will bet until he dies. With his success off the court I would say he won't have to worry too much about going broke. |
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