Courtsiding

Courtsiding is the practice of transmitting information from sporting events for the purpose of gambling, or of placing bets directly from a sporting event. It has been observed as occurring most prominently, although not exclusively, in tennis. It arises as a result of the delay between live action and digital television broadcasts.

Legal issues

The procedure takes place when a spectator at a sporting event passes on, or uses, information which leads to bets being placed on 'in-game markets' before the bookmakers receive the information, and change the odds due to the in-play happening.[1][2]

It has been claimed that courtsiding was illegal in Victoria, Australia, in 2013; with it comes a prison sentence of up to 10 years under the Integrity In Sports Act. It had been alleged to be an offence under the Gambling Act 2005. Chris Eaton opined, that match fixers had turned to courtsiding due to it being "easier to accomplish".[3] The UK Gambling Commission, however, have subsequently confirmed that courtsiding is not considered an offence in the UK.[4]

Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, later said that it could "arguably could be illegal, maybe some cases legal", and the chairman and CEO of the tour said that he felt it was not a major issue.[5]

Occurrences

At the 2013 Australian Open, there was a case of courtsiding, but the necessary legislation needed in order to commit an arrest was not in place.[6][7]

The first arrest for courtsiding was at the 2014 Australian Open when a 22-year-old British man, Daniel Dobson, allegedly had an electronic device sewn into his shorts, in order to relay scores to a syndicate.[8][9] Dobson's employers, Sporting Data, denied any involvement in illegal betting or any other illegal activity, issuing a statement that condemned Dobson's arrest as a "grossly unfair accusation".[10] The case was withdrawn on the 6 March 2014.[11]

The England and Wales Cricket Board released the fact that in summer 2013 there were 23 people ejected for what was believed to be courtsiding.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Australian Associated Press (15 January 2014). "Australian Open: man charged with courtside betting". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Cox, Simon (22 April 2015). "Why tennis 'courtsiding' was my dream job". BBC News. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 Rumsby, Ben (16 January 2014). "Sport on alert after first arrest for 'courtsiding'". The Daily Telegraph. pp. S8.
  4. ↑ "Sporting Data Reviews 'Courtsiding' After Australian Open Arrest". Gambling Compliance. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  5. ↑ Cambers, Simon (21 January 2014). "Tennis-'Courtsiders' court controversy at Australian Open". Reuters. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  6. ↑ Newman, Paul (15 January 2014). "Australian Open 2014: British man arrested in connection with alleged illegal betting syndicate suspected of 'courtsiding'". The Independent. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  7. ↑ Ransom, Ian (15 January 2014). "Tennis-Man held for 'courtsiding' at Australian Open". Reuters. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  8. ↑ Rumsby, Ben (16 January 2014). "Sports betting firm denies match fixing in 'courtsiding' charge storm". National Post. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  9. ↑ Bishop, Greg and Martin, John (21 January 2014). "Tennis's New Concern: Data Harvesting". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Sporting Data". 16 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "'Courtsiding' charge withdrawn against British man arrested at Australian Open". The Guardian. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
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