The difference between Asian bookmakers and European bookmakers

This is a brief illustration of why match-fixers choose Asian bookmakers over European bookmakers. Both now offer Asian Handicap and Totals markets; if anything, the Europeans offer a far greater choice of Special bets such as anytime goalscorer, bookings over/under etc.

So very simply, in order to combat match-fixing, there needs to be regulation of the bookmakers. People take greater risks in fixing a match if the bets are regulated, recorded and reported on. So why isn't this happening? Asian bookmakers thrive off the anonymity as bettors wash money, match-fix (this information is important) and even just bet illegally. Once they are regulated, it is the European market which will thrive. So Asian bookmakers are somehow ensuring they cannot be regulated. There are ways but they are not being explored. Governments have banned urls (ok more will pop up) for other illegal activity such as filesharing, no matter where they are based. The problem is that the Asian bookmakers are technically legal - it is those betting who are committing the crime. But there are methods of regulation such as huge penalties for not declaring client information or penalties for not showing all records once a match has been fixed. The world is getting smaller and one day cities like Manila and Poipet will be cracked down on because match-fixing has links to bigger crimes.

In the meantime, whilst anonymity exists, there is little chance of combating match-fixing. Education alone is not going to do it although we can try.

Striker

Why match-fixing will only become a bigger problem

Hi all,

As I have stated on twitter, my aim in educate the masses on the dangers of match-fixing since I have the inside track.

I have spent quite a while in Asia and I have come to learn the government's view on crime. In short, they turn a blind eye to the lesser evils. The same is true with match-fixing. I think that governments, federations and international police services allow match-fixing to continue because the alternative is far worse. It is all over the media about match-fixers such as Raj Perumal and Dan Tan, the black mafia in India/Dubai and criminal gangs in Eastern Europe. These are not football and cricket experts - they are criminals who value a human life at less than £10k. These people could easily be involved in human trafficking, money laundering (which is associated with match-fixing as well), drugs and even hire-to-kill. But they choose match-fixing as prosecution is difficult, set-up costs are low and those willing to be involved often have no choice. The match-fixer can be three or four times removed from the crime ensuring a degree of safety. If federations but more importantly, government and international police services wanted rid of match-fixing, they could. But they value other crimes as more serious.

However, what they fail to take into account is that the criminal world is likely to be linked. Those profiting from match-fixing can build a bankroll in order to fund far more lucrative projects. And yet, the stakes involved in football alone are enough to satisfy any match-fixer for life. Also, the stakes are only getting bigger. Soon, the Premier League football prices at kick-off will be as liquid as the financial markets (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration). But since people trust SBObet, 188bet and IBCbet more than most of their banks, how long before people start 'investing' in football prices and trading accordingly. This increased liquidity tips the risk/reward ratio in favour of the match-fixer. 

I fear for sport as a whole. If football continues to be cleaned up, another sport will be chosen. NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA will be next on a grand scale. Snooker, Horse Racing, Darts, Tennis and Football are already tainted. The others have had few and far between cases.

We shall see. 

In Off The Chest, I chose Cedric to be the villain who is based on a true character with a different name. A criminal of the highest order. 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-Chest-Confessions-match-fixing-ebook/dp/B00BW0NFZE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363689840&sr=1-1

https://twitter.com/OffTheChest1

Striker.

Book released

I am pretty damn happy that Off The Chest has been released. It's been a long journey to get it out there. Match-Fixing is enormous at the moment. Corruption is being exposed in Zambia, Lesotho, Holland, Ireland,  south Africa, Lebanon, Singapore, Malaysia and much more. Off The Chest was written to expose the level match-fixing has gone to - the biggest league in the world. People think the Premier League is untouchable but EVERYTHING has a price. We like to gamble high, very high. And sometimes the only person willing to offer credit in low times is a match-fixer. Of course his true colours are not known immediately (sometimes they are) but the gambler just wants to get out of a hole.

I know of 20 footballers who gamble at extremely high stakes. There are bets being placed and poker games being played which would make your eyes water. But it's all relative. The problem is that greed is universal and so is hunger...and desperation.

FIFA, EPFL, Transparency International and UEFA should strongly consider Off The Chest as a educational tool for footballers. They want some of this. They will identify with the struggles I've had. I've passed it to a few and the response so far from those who've read it has been excellent!

Get your copy

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Off-Chest-Confessions-Fixing-Premier/dp/0957602014/ref=la_B00BYQRHGY_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365042833&sr=1-1

https://twitter.com/OffTheChest1

Striker