NBA Hit By Gambling Scandal
The NBA has been hit by one of the biggest betting scandals in recent times with former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleading guilty to two serious charges after admitting providing information to professional gamblers and also betting upon the out come of games in which he was personally involved. The basketball game has been shocked by the revelations, but is it just the tip of the iceberg or a one off?
Donaghy faces a maximum of 25 years in jail if he is found guilty, although there is always the chance of a deal with the prosecutors if he is able to provide them with details of any other members of the betting ring. While there have been betting scandals in US sport in the past, this one has rocked the game of basketball to the core, with other officials now coming under scrutiny. The case has also prompted many more questions including :-
How was Donaghy able to place bets?
It seems that Donaghy was not only betting on games in which he was involved, he also seems to have been using illegal betting outfits. It would now seem inevitable that these illegal outfits will now become the centre of future investigations - perhaps offering Donaghy a reduced jail term in exchange for assisting the authorities?
How much money has Donaghy won from his illegal bets?
While Donaghy has pleaded guilty to two charges, there are rumoured to be a number of events and bets under investigation. While we may never know the exact detail of his gambling patterns, the two test charges are more than enough to put him away for a long time.
Why did Donaghy becoming involved in these illegal activities?
Apart for the obvious greed factor, it appears that Donaghy has had a serious gambling addictions for many years, leading him down this wayward path. It seems that others under investigation became aware of his personal gambling habits, and suggested they work in tandem in return for money. Unfortunately for Donaghy he agreed, and will be paying back for many years to come.