Illegal gambling on sporting events is become a huge issue in the industry. It seems like there cannot be a sports event without some type of gambling scandal taking place – and the recent Heineken Open in Auckland was no exception.
According to Radio Sports, a man was seen using a mobile phone to place wagers on specific events. This would not normally be an issue, but being at the even in person granted him a special advantage over players watching at home, as there is a timed delay on all events.
Some sportsbetting websites offers odds on situations such as one player making a fault. If a spectator watching the event live can transmit that information to someone watching at home, prompting them to make a bet, an illegal action has occurred.
The tour’s supervisor, Tom Barnes, stated that using mobile phones to transmit information about events is become a big problem at these events. Trained officials are employed to keep an eye out for individuals who may be taking part in these crimes, but it seems that some cases still escape their grasp.
