|
|
|
 |
Crime Boss Warns of Sports Gambling Influences
NEW YORK, NEW YORK --
A former leader in one of the New York Five Families that ran the city's organized crime has said tennis and other sports are under assault by those who want to influence outcomes for gambling purposes. Michael Franzese, an ex-boss of the Colombo family, says tennis players are top targets because a single player controls results.
Franzese has given talks to players from the NBA, Major League Baseball, various college sports, and tennis about avoiding corrupting influences, but he also warns players can be twisted through threats and extortion against their will. This validates the need to attack the problem at the other end, online casinos where bets are placed.
The Association of Tennis Professionals has developed strong ties with the online gambling industry over the last year. By taking safe guards to spot suspicious betting patterns and working together along with law enforcement, the ATP and Internet casino operators both remove the easy score that mob gamblers might seek, and protect players who might be used as pawns if wagering were easier.
Franzese said, "None of these players want to do it. They do it because they're put in a situation. They have no way out. They all regret it."
By utilizing the resources and cooperation of online casinos, tennis and other sports fight corruption in their sport and cause organized crime to seek easier marks. US team sports would be wise to quit lobbying against online gambling and embrace what could be a powerful partner in fighting gambling corruption.
Previous World Casino News Articles
Post A Comment
|
 |
|
|
|
