Fans have, for a very long time, suspected something is wrong in Australian sports.
Let us start with National Rugby League.
Refereeing decisions have stunned fans, mostly from the introduction of Betting on the game.
Worth noting the resemblance to truly communist or dictatorships.
And club official, complaining about clear wrong out comes is fined, $10.000 is the usual.
No way to run a sport surely.
Current delays in informing the public who and what is involved is hard to support.
We know , have seen it in court NRL has had the fix in, if not who wins what takes place in the game.
Can the public ever be sure that criminals do not know who will win before the event? I doubt it.
The racing game, Trotters Greyhounds and sport of Kings/Mugs have all been exposed for major criminal infestations.
Can we ever fix it?

Belly, there's a simple fix, remove the gambling, because whenever money is involved, corruption is sure to follow.

Rechtub t5he very existence of some sports is gambling.
Both forms of horse racing and Greyhounds.
But I agree, no need exists to taint other sports with gambling.
Those who punt, bet on racing animals, know trots have been known as the red hots, for half a century, even officials found to be rigging the races.
Gallopers? the sport of kings is as bent as any sport in the world, bay Greyhound racing.
Drug Barons have paid Jockeys to fix races.
And the Mafia in America has too.
But the very different allegations about sports once based on having fun,and giving fans a look at their local teams?
It is the fact games get fixed that hurts.
A truth, one we can not avoid, while money can be made temptation will win.
Wounder how much an NRL ref earns?

I can't say there is any less gambling than when I was a child. There are mug punters. Alcohol and drugs are the same. Education makes little difference.

If gambling is not regulated it would be underground.

I would like to reduce the advertising, especially the sly advertising for example, where commentators just happen to mention betting (eg odds) and use gambling terms in commentary.

But then again I abhor the bans and controls of the Nanny State, which seemingly cost heaps, involve a lot of interfering in citizen's lives and achieve bugger all, except providing a gravy train for friends of friends.

corrupt hearts have and will always find a way to cheat. Only One incorruptible One and it certainly was not Bradman or Johns. Every honest sportsperson must now wonder if they were beaten by a cheat. Sport has always ignored the character of a person. The AFL is more interested in political statements than character. They still have druggies, rapist, thieves etc playing throughout the country because they draw a crowd. The public are numbed by sport so don't really care if people cheat otherwise they would not show up in droves were betting is taking place.

For me at least, a sports mad Aussie and far from alone, it is the organised crime that is of concern.
Anyone remember the Warne incident? a Indian paid for *weather information*
Several Australian test players outed them selves.
But there is the heart of the matter.
Let us face it, few who ever bet on racing do not think it can be and is often fixed.
The introduction of sports betting is at the heart of this current event.
Yes drugs are a concern.
And yes buying, or receiving as gifts,such from criminals exposes the sport, we will know more tomorrow.
But far from individuals are or seem to be, involved.
Take that fine,yes $10.000 has been imposed, after a coach, not one I admire, not my team,rightly questioned refereeing things that CLEARLY got it wrong.
Sport is now a product, its owners the media and officials, get, IMO, results and even team selection [ away of insuring out comes] they want.
A warning to us all, anything can now be bought corruption has its own paths spread by cash.
See NSW Commission of inquiry.