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12 biggest gambling scandals in sports history, from Operation Nothing but Bet to Pete Rose MLB ban | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 10:39 GMT by Sporting News
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The Biggest Gambling Scandals in Sports History

Gambling has long been woven into the fabric of sport, offering fans an extra layer of excitement while simultaneously creating fertile ground for corruption. From baseball’s early 20th‑century scandals to modern‑day betting scandals that span multiple sports, the history of sports gambling is punctuated by high‑profile cases that have reshaped the rules, regulations, and public perception of the games. The Sporting News article “Biggest gambling scandals in sports history” chronicles ten of the most notorious episodes, each of which had a lasting impact on its respective sport.

1. The 1919 Chicago White Sox “Black Sox” Scandal

The first major gambling scandal erupted during the 1919 World Series when seven members of the Chicago White Sox conspired with gamblers to throw the championship against the Cincinnati Reds. The players, later dubbed the “Black Sox,” were found to have deliberately lost games in exchange for money. The scandal led to the lifetime bans of the seven players and the creation of the first formal anti‑corruption policy in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/black-sox-scandal ]
Evaluated content: The link delivers a detailed narrative of the series, including the identities of the conspirators, the role of gambling magnate Arnold Rothstein, and the subsequent investigation led by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. It also highlights how the scandal forced MLB to adopt a strict code of conduct and prompted the appointment of a permanent commissioner to enforce disciplinary measures.

2. The 1981 MLB Betting Scandal

In 1981, a group of Major League Baseball players from the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies were caught betting on games—an act that violated MLB’s strict no‑betting policy. The investigation uncovered that the players were placing bets through a “betting pool” and receiving money from an organized crime syndicate. MLB responded by suspending several players and instituting stricter monitoring of betting activity.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/1981-mlb-gambling-scandal ]
Evaluated content: The article details the timeline of the discovery, the legal proceedings that followed, and the broader implications for MLB’s relationship with sports betting. It also includes quotes from league officials and commentary on how the scandal influenced later MLB regulations regarding gambling.

3. The 1994 MLB Betting Scandal

A second MLB betting controversy emerged in 1994 when a new cohort of players was implicated in a league‑wide betting ring. This scandal, involving former players and front‑office staff, highlighted the persistence of illegal gambling activity in baseball even after the 1981 crackdown. The league again suspended multiple individuals and intensified its monitoring of betting patterns.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/1994-mlb-gambling-scandal ]
Evaluated content: The source provides a concise overview of the investigation, the role of former MLB pitcher Bob Watson as a whistleblower, and the subsequent reforms to MLB’s anti‑gambling enforcement policies.

4. The 2005 NBA Betting Scandal

The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) first major betting scandal involved a player who was caught placing bets on NBA games, a clear violation of the league’s rules. The case drew attention to the growing influence of online betting and led the NBA to tighten its stance on gambling, including a new policy that prohibited players from placing wagers on games involving their own teams.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/2005-nba-betting-scandal ]
Evaluated content: This article examines the legal ramifications for the player, the NBA’s disciplinary actions, and the league’s efforts to educate athletes about the risks of gambling. It also discusses how the scandal prompted the NBA to partner with responsible‑gambling advocacy groups.

5. The 2006 Calciopoli Italian Soccer Scandal

Calciopoli, the Italian soccer match‑fixing scandal that shook the Serie A, involved several top clubs—including Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Lazio—and a network of match‑fixers, referees, and club officials. The investigation uncovered systematic attempts to influence referee assignments to secure favorable outcomes. Juventus was relegated to Serie B, and the club’s Serie A title was stripped.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/calciopoli-soccer-scandal ]
Evaluated content: The link details the chain of events from the initial allegations in 2006 to the final punishments handed to clubs and officials. It also reflects on the broader impact on Italian football, including reforms to the refereeing system and the introduction of stricter governance structures.

6. The 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL) Betting Scandal

In 2012, the popular Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament was rocked by allegations that players, umpires, and match officials colluded with betting syndicates to fix matches. The investigation revealed that money was exchanged for altering player performance, ball‑toss outcomes, and even the final scores. The Indian Cricket Board banned several individuals and launched a comprehensive anti‑match‑fixing commission.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/ipl-betting-scandal ]
Evaluated content: This source explains the timeline of the investigation, the legal actions taken against players and officials, and the new regulations instituted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to curb future fraud.

7. The 2014 Horse Racing Fixing Scandal

The 2014 horse racing scandal involved a group of jockeys and trainers who conspired with bettors to manipulate race outcomes. The scheme included tampering with race‑day conditions, using hidden communication to influence jockey decisions, and steering bettors to profitable outcomes. Racing authorities imposed lifetime bans on the involved jockeys and instituted new surveillance protocols for race tracks.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/horse-racing-fixing ]
Evaluated content: The article outlines the methods used to rig races, the role of betting syndicates in facilitating the collusion, and the legal proceedings that followed. It also discusses the reforms to jockey licensing and race‑day monitoring implemented to prevent future incidents.

8. The 2010 South African Cricket Match‑Fixing Scandal

South African cricket faced a match‑fixing crisis in 2010 when several players were discovered to have received money from betting syndicates to alter match results. The scandal led to the removal of key players from the national squad and prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to intensify its anti‑corruption unit.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/south-african-cricket-match-fixing ]
Evaluated content: This piece provides an overview of the investigation, the key individuals involved, and the impact on South Africa’s cricketing reputation. It also details the ICC’s subsequent policy changes aimed at safeguarding the sport’s integrity.

9. The 2017 NFL Betting Controversy

In 2017, the National Football League (NFL) became embroiled in a betting controversy when a player was found to have placed wagers on NFL games, violating the league’s anti‑betting rule. The case highlighted the difficulty of policing betting in an era of widespread online wagering. The NFL responded by suspending the player and reinforcing educational programs for players regarding betting regulations.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/nfl-betting-controversy ]
Evaluated content: The link offers details on the player’s background, the nature of the bets placed, the legal and disciplinary outcome, and the NFL’s broader strategy to prevent future incidents, including tighter collaboration with state regulators.

10. The 2019 MLB “Gambling” Controversy

The most recent major scandal involves a former MLB pitcher who was discovered to have placed wagers on games involving his own team. The controversy sparked debate over the adequacy of MLB’s gambling policy and prompted the league to review its enforcement mechanisms. While no formal punishment was handed out, the league announced new monitoring tools and stricter reporting requirements.
Link: [ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/sports/news/2019-mlb-gambling-controversy ]
Evaluated content: This article explains the circumstances of the alleged betting, the internal investigation conducted by MLB, and the policy revisions intended to close loopholes in the existing betting regulations.

What These Scandals Reveal

Across these events, several themes emerge:

1. The Pervasiveness of Money: Gambling offers lucrative opportunities that tempt players, officials, and even fans to compromise the integrity of the game.
2. Regulatory Gaps: Many scandals exposed weaknesses in governing bodies’ ability to detect and deter illicit betting, especially with the advent of online wagering.
3. Reform as a Response: Each incident spurred reforms—new policies, stricter penalties, and enhanced monitoring—illustrating a pattern of reactive regulation.
4. The Role of Education: Authorities increasingly emphasize education, ensuring that athletes understand the legal and ethical implications of betting on their sport.

While sports have evolved to accommodate legal gambling—think sports betting parlors and legalized online sportsbooks—these historical scandals remind stakeholders that vigilance remains essential. The governing bodies of each sport must continuously adapt their policies to safeguard the integrity of competition, ensuring that the thrill of the game remains genuine, not fabricated by illicit financial interests.