Examining the fabrics of match-fixing: The underground sport betting system

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_81D00D3DA0EA
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Examining the fabrics of match-fixing: The underground sport betting system
Journal
International Review for the Sociology of Sport
Author(s)
Tzeng Chien-Chun, Ohl Fabien
ISSN
1012-6902
1461-7218
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/02/2023
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
1
Number
58
Pages
188–207
Language
english
Abstract
This study aims to examine the very fabrics of underground sport betting system that is associated with match-fixing. Mafia, syndicates, and bookmakers are the three levels of actors in the hierarchy. Having grassroots bookmakers as our particular focus, we examine their roles and networks, what regulates the system, and how the system functions. Thanks to our academic links with the mafia, we had access to bookmakers to carry out observations and 25 interviews. We rely on the social capital model in which structural, relational and cognitive dimensions are identified. Findings reveal that actors are empowered by their social capital to streamline their underground business. Far from the stereotype of a competitive market under the control and coercion of very powerful mafia, our observations of bookmakers, mainly women, show that they cooperate, trust each other, and have great autonomy in their activities. Because of their strong shared culture and networks, betting activities are considered acceptable in their own small community.
Keywords
match-fixing, underground sport betting, social capital, Taiwan, mafia, culture, regulation
Web of science
Create date
22/12/2022 13:59
Last modification date
26/07/2023 6:00
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