Don't Sour the Bets

Gambling is all around us. Sometimes it's in the decisions we take, the teams we support, the odds we risk or the people we choose to associate with. Either way there's a guaranteed outcome, dull or exciting, costly or profitable that we are going to face.

Not all gambling is going to yield financial gain however. Sometimes, if you're lucky, the biggest gambles will win you a lifelong partner, a successful career change or more. But the crux of it - the gambling that most of us are interested in is the one that yields big paydays. We're talking legal sports betting, online gambling and casino euphoria.

Keeping it clean
Provided you're of legal age and relatively sound mind (reckless gamblers are problem gamblers) gambling can be a rush like no other. That unmistakable feeling of placing a bet, and counting on lady luck - perhaps with an inside tip - to win big is unlike any other. Watching that roulette wheel finally stop spinning and seeing your number come up is golden. You breathe a massive sigh of relief - you've hit pay dirt and you're about to collect - big time!

Not all gambling is clean-cut however and many unscrupulous punters and inside betters make use of devious means to gain advantage. Steroid abuse is one example, nepotism and insider trading is another, blackmailing and mafia syndicates are another. If gambling is to remain the massive money-spinner that it is - in terms of being regulated and bringing in windfall tax revenues - then it must be kept clean, lest it be outlawed.

Officials not above law
Clearly something that is completely unacceptable to all of us, are corrupt officials and players in the sporting arena. There have been multiple allegations against refs, umpires and players. Personally the authorities are 100% justified in banning these folks from the games and imposing stiff punitive measures against them. There is no room for anything other than chance, ability and performance in sports wagering. Corrupt officials working to enrich syndicates or individuals are the lowest of the low. Keep it clean. Keep it real. Keep legal gambling alive.