BetFair.com spokesman Tony Calvin said:
We don’t offer a lot of markets of this kind [see the article below] because the rules have to be watertight for backer and layer.
The Times on quirky bets and the sports integrity problematic.
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#1. It’s never reported by the U.S. media (who mainly republish P.R. outputs) and the U.S. prediction market scholars (who work in symbiosis with the four main exchanges) that TradeSports-InTrade has signed no MoUs with the U.S. sporting bodies. Thus, it is possible for any U.S. professional athlete (or any U.S. professional sport team) to cheat in a competition, and to profit from short-selling the appropriate event derivative on TradeSports-InTrade.
#2. Also you will observe that BetFair adheres to the “responsible gambling” principles, whereas TradeSports-InTrade does not. This is never reported, too.
#3. BetFair is regulated by U.K.’s Gambling Commission, whereas TradeSports-InTrade is not regulated. Never reported.
#4. BetFair belongs to the Independent Betting Arbitration Service, whereas TradeSports-InTrade does not. Never reported.
#3. The Midas Oracle readers should know that I have received e-mail insults
from Ireland accusing me of “masturbating” with BetFair… which is rated as a crime in Ireland, apparently. P.S.: Thank God for Irish-born Niall O’Connor of Betting Market, who is a sweetie and a beacon, and who gives us a good impression about his wonderful and brave country of origin.
And did you get permission to publish their private email to you?
Justin Wolfers wants America’s sports bodies to allow sports betting so as to outlaw the quirky bets that induce corruption.
http://www.midasoracle.org/2007/07/27/justin-wolfers-wants-americas-sports-bodies-to-allow-sports-betting-so-as-to-outlaw-the-quirky-bets-that-induce-corruption/