NHL Should Get Wake Up Call After NBA Betting Scandal - But Will They?

The NHL is ripe for betting fraud due to long-standing, unaddressed practices by the hockey side of the business.

This morning we became aware of the FBI’s investigation of, and now indictments against, current and former NBA players, and a head coach with a HOF playing career, for their roles in a rigged-poker scheme and sports betting - rigging props for NBA games. The Mafia is involved.

The allegations concern “insider-trading-esque” behaviors. That is to say, NBA players, coaches, and close staff traded on inside information regarding injuries, player deployment, and other developments NOT AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

And here’s the rub for the NHL - one of em anyway - their injury disclosing policies are shit and potentially compromise every player, coach, trainer, equipment manager, broadcaster, or other inside staffer who knows what’s what when the betting public doesn’t.

Also for the NHL, the way these prop stats are kept and recorded are circumspect and again, ripe for the pickings. Think about it - what if you had the guy or gal at any given arena who keeps shots on goal in your pocket? Would that be helpful to you if you were trying to rig a bet?

This is all sure to reignite debate over the quick proliferation of sports betting, particularly prop (proposition) betting, and the effects the industry may or may not have on Americans at large.

Historically speaking, technology is always ahead of the law in most ventures. Technology bursts onto the scene and it takes time for the public to grasp it, and legislators to understand exactly what’s at the other end of the stick.

Here, I’ll give you a quick primer on what “props” are and do and how we bet them - and some thoughts on Daily Fantasy in general.

Also - I’ll sound the warning again to the NHL. I’ve been out for some years, and when I was in, I saw big trouble looming - trouble like what’s happening in the NBA - and I told everyone within earshot.

Recently, I’ve told friends at member Clubs - y’all be careful - the hockey side is gonna get you in big trouble if they keep doing what they’ve always done and continue to do.

The trouble is big, real, and imminent for hockey.