Part 9/12:
A recurring theme in discussions about betting scandals is the insidious involvement of organized crime. Schelster shared concerns over how figures with mob ties may influence gambling activities within sports circles, particularly at the college level, where oversight is less strict.
He recounted personal stories and case studies of players manipulated through mob pressure or bribes, highlighting that the fusion of organized crime with sports betting creates dangerous vulnerabilities. Schelster warned that once the mob’s influence takes hold, efforts to police or investigate become markedly more difficult, often resulting in players and staff risking jail or worse.