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Turn a blind eye: this seems to be the approach of the Indian Government and its agencies to betting. But the fact is that the convergence of technology, betting, sport and leisure at a global level will create a phenomenon where it will be beyond the control of any single government to control it or look the other way. Just as more betting is possible, so is more foul play.
It is not only the Asians. But Australians, Americans and Europeans too are betting on a mass scale. No one wants to be left out of the money loop.
Technology is a big part of global betting. Soon, the software will be made more sophisticated, the bugs will be ironed out, and you would not need the mobile phone to place a bet with your bookie in Brisbane, Perth, London or Mumbai.
You will have a palm-hand-held computer, doing some on-line gambling while you’re at a game. And the new hi-tech stadiums will have the interactive technology built into your seats.
At home, you’ll be chancing your sporting opinion against the cyber bookies through connections in your digital TV, linked directly to your credit card or bank account. The Internet is the future. You could be sitting there, watching the game of cricket on your PC-TV (all in one unit), and a narrative could be running banner style across the screen saying, “This will be the price for a four in Shane Warne’s next over — $ 5.50. If you want this bet, click ‘Yes’. Or click ‘No’.”
If people weren’t interested in sports, they wouldn’t bet on it. There are so many human variables that impact on the event. And that’s what makes sports betting so fascinating; because of the unfolding uncertainties, the excitement sharpens. The scope of this excitement market is limitless.
Cycling and rowing used to be major spectator sports in Australia. But match-fixing on a massive scale drove the fans and the punters away. The premier football league in England is under siege from the Asian betting syndicates. In the US, college sports — from football to basketball — were shaken up last year by the arrest of leading players for match-fixing and illegal betting. The sports betting scandals on an international level are piling up everyday.
In this global game beyond geography, the telecommunications outlet could be licensed in one country, the sports betting outlet could be licensed to another, and the team might be based in a totally different country. So you cannot regulate or control the event. The changes in technology are giving individual investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to draw huge amounts of revenue and treat the whole world as their gambling market.
At present, there are about 140 sites where there are unlicensed operators asking people to give their credit card numbers while accepting bets. This network is bound to grow. Tomorrow, a 10-year-old can steal Papa’s credit card number and bet.
There are three basic approaches governments have taken to combat this dangerous addiction which can only spread in the days to come. Some governments, like India, have just shut their eyes hoping that it’ll go away. The US and Singapore, for instance, have tried to prohibit it. Singapore, by controlling the file service, and the US with a Bill which is before the Congress (called the Kyl Bill), are hoping to empower the authorities to prosecute people who gamble on-line.
Either way, in this brave new global world of the gambling-market, to bet or not to bet, would be one key dilemma which won’t be easy to escape in the days to come.
It is not only the Asians. But Australians, Americans and Europeans too are betting on a mass scale. No one wants to be left out of the money loop.
Technology is a big part of global betting. Soon, the software will be made more sophisticated, the bugs will be ironed out, and you would not need the mobile phone to place a bet with your bookie in Brisbane, Perth, London or Mumbai.
You will have a palm-hand-held computer, doing some on-line gambling while you’re at a game. And the new hi-tech stadiums will have the interactive technology built into your seats.
At home, you’ll be chancing your sporting opinion against the cyber bookies through connections in your digital TV, linked directly to your credit card or bank account. The Internet is the future. You could be sitting there, watching the game of cricket on your PC-TV (all in one unit), and a narrative could be running banner style across the screen saying, “This will be the price for a four in Shane Warne’s next over — $ 5.50. If you want this bet, click ‘Yes’. Or click ‘No’.”
If people weren’t interested in sports, they wouldn’t bet on it. There are so many human variables that impact on the event. And that’s what makes sports betting so fascinating; because of the unfolding uncertainties, the excitement sharpens. The scope of this excitement market is limitless.
Cycling and rowing used to be major spectator sports in Australia. But match-fixing on a massive scale drove the fans and the punters away. The premier football league in England is under siege from the Asian betting syndicates. In the US, college sports — from football to basketball — were shaken up last year by the arrest of leading players for match-fixing and illegal betting. The sports betting scandals on an international level are piling up everyday.
In this global game beyond geography, the telecommunications outlet could be licensed in one country, the sports betting outlet could be licensed to another, and the team might be based in a totally different country. So you cannot regulate or control the event. The changes in technology are giving individual investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to draw huge amounts of revenue and treat the whole world as their gambling market.
At present, there are about 140 sites where there are unlicensed operators asking people to give their credit card numbers while accepting bets. This network is bound to grow. Tomorrow, a 10-year-old can steal Papa’s credit card number and bet.
There are three basic approaches governments have taken to combat this dangerous addiction which can only spread in the days to come. Some governments, like India, have just shut their eyes hoping that it’ll go away. The US and Singapore, for instance, have tried to prohibit it. Singapore, by controlling the file service, and the US with a Bill which is before the Congress (called the Kyl Bill), are hoping to empower the authorities to prosecute people who gamble on-line.
Either way, in this brave new global world of the gambling-market, to bet or not to bet, would be one key dilemma which won’t be easy to escape in the days to come.