Central Michigan University

• Tennis gambling findings are 'no surprise'

Topics in this story: College of Education and Human Services, News tips and sources, Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration, Sports and recreation

SOURCE:
Tim Otteman, instructor, department of recreation, parks and leisure services administration
Central Michigan University
Phone: 989-774-7312 (office) or 989-621-2238 (cellular)
E-mail: ottem1tw@cmich.edu
Web sites: http://rpl.cmich.edu/faculty/otteman.htm and http://www.timotteman.com

An independent panel announced May 19 that suspicious betting patterns were present in 45 professional tennis matches from the past five years, requiring more in-depth review. Central Michigan University's Tim Otteman, a sports gambling expert, is available to comment on the implications of the 66-page report, which was published by the International Tennis Federation, the Association of Tennis Professionals, the Women's Tennis Association and the four Grand Slam tournaments just prior to the start of this year's French Open, which runs through June 8. Among Otteman's thoughts:

Regarding gambling in an individual sport versus a team sport:
"Historically, most of the sports gambling scandals in the United States that have been uncovered have been with major team sports like baseball, basketball, football and internationally with soccer. But it should come as no surprise that an individual sport with head-to-head competition could be ripe for match fixing. Simple math should tell us that it would be easier to fix a competition with one player than a game with numerous teammates."

Regarding the influence of outside parties:
"Because of the tremendous amount of illegally bet money on sporting events - estimates run between $80 and $380 billion each year - there is an obvious motivation to attempt to shave points or fix matches as a money-making enterprise. The volume of money bet needs to be wagered in a variety of locations as not to raise suspicion and needs to be 'laundered' to appear as legally gained. While this independent panel did not uncover any direct evidence of a connection to organized crime, it takes a conscious, organized and well-funded effort to fix a major sports competition."

Regarding the response to gambling in tennis:
"The governing bodies of tennis have quickly reacted to this scandal since the Davydenko/Arguello match in 2007 and appear to be heading in the right direction in containing this potentially devastating problem."

Otteman is an authority on sports gambling, event management, recreational programming, and sports management and administration.

Tim Otteman














CMU Media Relations contact:
Lindsay Allen
989-774-7327
allen1lm@cmich.edu