“Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.” – Proverbs 16:8
Just two days after the official start of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) season, the league has been rocked by a very serious gambling scandal. Days ago, federal officials arrested Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and a member of the NBA Hall of Fame.
Other notable arrests include current guard for the Miami Heat, Terry Rozier, and Damon Jones, who played and coached for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The investigated case suggests that these individuals and others were involved in manipulative poker games, illegal gambling, and match fixing in the NBA. Investigative authorities have stated that the criminal damages detected so far amount to tens of millions of dollars.
The corruption of this scandal is so severe that prosecutors have revealed that three mafia organizations are intricately involved in the case. What cannot be denied at this point is that gambling scandals have plagued sports at every level for years now.
When gambling is introduced into sports, whether it be at the collegiate level, professional level, or any other level, as it has, it will, without a doubt, create an environment where corruption can fester. The sad reality is, to be blunt, sports betting will only continue to corrupt the sports that so many enjoy and are entertained by. It would be wise for sports associations at every level to start distancing themselves from all forms of sports gambling, as time and time again, sports betting in these associations is bringing massive scandals that are hurting the reputation, for good reason, of these associations.
LET US PRAY…
Father, help our nation to wake up to the dangers that accompany the various forms of betting and gambling. Lord, empower sports associations at every level to distance themselves from all forms of gambling, as it always brings corruption. Father, help Your people to realize that gambling is an unwise use of the resources that You have blessed us with. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.