Is sports betting morally wrong for sports writers?

What about publishing predictions based on the line?

 

Unless you live in Las Vegas, gambling on sports is illegal. So if your bookie gets busted and the cops tell the local TV station that several of his customers were Journal-Herald-Times-News sportswriters, how would the management of your paper react?

 

Is this state heaven?

Bookie joints in my hometown used to publish lines, but it was kept pretty hush-hush since high school kids are 50 pct of the business.

 

Honestly, I don't remember the last time a bookie around here was arrested.

 

There are guys who cover the horse and dog tracks with serious gambling problems. There are some prep guys who have been known to place a bet or two on high school games. Personally, I feel it is morally wrong to bet on a sport that you have inside information on.

 

You know guys that bet on high school games? Wow. That's just really, really sad.

 

I knew of one guy who did. He's no longer in journalism and no he didn't get kicked out. In his neck of the woods, placing a bet on the local prep game was as common as watching a hooker work in NYC.

 

Why would being a sports writer make it morally wrong? It would be morally wrong no matter who you are if it is morally wrong.

Ethically wrong, that's a different story.

 

Yes, I agree. Ethically is a more correct term.

 

No, I wouldn't bet on a sport I cover (and if I can't bet on it, it's not a sport).
But if I cover college football and want to throw a few bucks on the NFL or college hoops, yes. I would do it.

 

I don't think it's morally wrong, but i do think it's stupid. I know numerous folks who bet on sports. I don't know anyone who doesn't come out behind financially.

 

I have, however for full disclosure, been known to run a press pool or two at a game for either the team and spread (basketball) or total points (football) for a dollar a pop.