Offshore sites setting betting lines on high school football

 

John King, athletics director and football coach at Longview (Texas) High School, said he figured a few bets would be placed among fans going into Thursday night's game against DeSoto High.

 

 

What he didn't realize is wagering would be taking place on his game across the Internet. Longview-DeSoto was listed at Sportbet.com along with Friday games with Seneca Valley (Harmony, Pa.) vs. Penn Hills (Pa.) and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) vs. Servite (Anaheim). Servite is No. 18 in the USA TODAY Super 25 high school rankings.

"I didn't realize that was happening," King said. "I knew there was friendly wagering going on between rival towns.But when it comes to online betting on high school games that'll ruin high school sports."

 

Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, said gambling is already a problem among high school athletes. "The majority of Division I athletes reported gambling on sports before they enter college," Whyte said. "Gambling among high school athletes is already ubiquitous, and this may bring more attention to a problem we're already aware of."

 

A call to oddsmaker Tony Williams at Sportbets.com wasn't immediately returned, but earlier this week he told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, "The customers who bet the games don't have a problem with morality. If the customers are happy, I am happy," Williams said. "Walk to any street corner in the United Kingdom. You can bet on under 16-year-old soccer events, boys or girls. Any match, just about any amount." The youth World Cup events are shown globally on television. What is the difference (between) betting on 15- and 16-year-old girls playing soccer or 17- and 18-year-old boys playing American football?"

 

Thoughts on this? Does it detract from the "purity" of high school athletics? Is gambling among high school athletes "ubiquitous"?

You used to be able to get a line on any high school game from local bookies. I'm sure they still do it. It's good clean fun until the stakes raise. Then issues could arise. keep it pure!

You used to be able to get a line on any high school game from local bookies. I'm sure they still do it. It's good clean fun until the stakes raise. Then issues could arise. keep it pure!

I know of many local bookies that will give lines for basketball and football games.

I unfortunately do as well. Mine called me to help make a line once, because it involved my school and I am good friends with the coach.

 

I wouldn't help him.

They have lines for some grade school games.

This really is not surprising to anyone, I hope.

They have lines for some grade school games.

 

Let me clarify, local bookies do.

This really is not surprising to anyone, I hope.

I would say that some people would be shocked about how much betting takes place on high school football/basketball.

Color me shocked. I honestly had no idea that real betting was so prevelant among high school sports.

Color me shocked. I honestly had no idea that real betting was so prevelant among high school sports.

Honest question. Do you gamble any?

Honest question. Do you gamble any?

 

I put $5 in a slot machine on Friday in Vegas. Does that count?

I put $5 in a slot machine on Friday in Vegas. Does that count?

There is hope.

I had no idea you could bet on high school sports with a bookie.

I had no idea you could bet on high school sports with a bookie.

Come on...

As far as gambling being ubiquitous among high school athletes I'd need some clarification. Does he consider fantasy football gambling? If so, I agree.