Betting on Track

Earlier this month a new gambling website dedicated to track & field came online. Britain's Telegraph newspaper sheds light on some possible problems: "athletics is relatively new to betting and is apparently unaware of the risks that un-policed gambling poses to the sport's integrity". Betcha didn't know the bookie running the operation is also an agent to several top athletes.

I'll Make a Killing!

There's now online gambling for track & field. Just one problem: since last summer it's illegal to gamble online in the USA.

Over at the old folk's home...er, I mean, the T&FN message board, the discussion includes an overview of the Stawell Gift and the actuarial and economic systems of bookies.

The amateur code was created at least in part due to the corrupting influences of gambling. London's Lillie Bridge track "and associated grandstand was burnt down on 18th Sept 1887 by rioting spectators after a fixed sprint match between Harry Gent and Harry Hutchins did not take place because neither of the participants would agree to lose."