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The whole magic of sports is that the end is theoretically undefined. In other words, when two teams play, both of them have an equal chance of winning assuming all other things are equal. When gambling is involved, someone else has a different stake in the process that might transcend the winning or losing of the game. A given player that is involved in gambling has now become a part of this external process, and their motivations may be changed. They may no longer be motivated to help their team win a game. Rather, they might be driven by a different outcome, whether it is a score, a result, or a margin. Therefore, if a player gambles on professional sports, the basic integrity of the game might be compromised. Here are a few thoughts on the whether or not gambling on professional sports should get an athlete banned for life.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

One key issue that must be addressed on this topic is the rules of the particular sport. In baseball, for example, gambling on the sport carries with it a lifetime ban. This happened to Pete Rose, and many people have fought for him to be reinstated. Granted, he denied his gambling for many years, so that may have something to do with it. But, the rules were what they were when he decided to gamble. What confuses the issues sometimes is that people do not like the rule. Therefore, they feel comfortable critiquing when people are punished for the rule. What people have to remember is that rule review is a different process. When the rule is in place, then it has to be followed and the outcomes have to be accepted.

QUESTIONING MOTIVE

As mentioned above, when someone gambles, the motivation may be completely different. In addition, it isolates the player from the rest of the team. The team may be trying to a win a game by a comfortable margin, but an individual player may be working against his teammates to keep the margin at a certain amount. Again, this chips away at the meaning of the game and it becomes a "fixed" event. When something is fixed, it is no longer a competition. Rather, it is just a scripted show.

Overall, leagues should be very harsh on gambling. If it goes unchecked, it can ruin a sport because it can rip at the very fabric of competition. If fans believe that the outcome is predetermined, then they may seek other entertainment options. That isn't a "gamble" that most sports want to take with their success.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
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