ESPN: Ole Miss plans institute to study gambling risk

[TideFans Reporter]

From ESPN College Football:

Ole Miss plans institute to study gambling risk​

The University of Mississippi on Monday announced the upcoming launch of its new Center on Collegiate Gambling, which researchers describe as the "first of its kind in the nation" amid rising national concern about betting on collegiate sports.
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[4Q Basket Case]

Risks aren't just for students. They're for the players (anybody who thinks some players in any sport aren't betting, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale, cheap). If players are betting, the put the rest of the team at risk and with that, the integrity of the game.

Point shaving is nothing new, and I have no doubt it goes on in any sport where you can make a bet.

And yes, gambling is addictive, with all the things that fall out from that.

A kid in my high school class developed a gambling problem in high school (yes, high school). He was a good athlete and the betting started on the golf course. Problem is, he wasn't as good as he thought. Was betting three-figures a hole in the early 1980s. Lost a lot on the course to players who were no-foolin' good....they could hustle an overconfident 20 year old like Itzhak Perelman plays a Stradivarius. Couldn't pay them and word got around real quick that he was a welcher. Then he couldn't get a golf game. Tried to scratch the itch at the dog track, with college bookies, etc., etc., ad infinitum. Wrecked his life before age 30.

Got clean and stayed that way for a good long while. Then relapsed. Ended up killing himself before age 50.

Truly a waste. A good guy with a good heart until the compulsive gambling.