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While Bilips and Roier have been suspended by the NBA, O'Reilly emphasizes that suspension does not necessarily mean guilt. However, the investigation is ongoing and indicates serious concern from league officials. The stakes are high, given the billions of dollars involved in professional sports betting.
O'Reilly underscores that fixed games and illicit betting have been an issue for decades, with whispers of similar scandals in other sports and from different eras. He asserts strongly that organized crime’s influence in sports manipulating outcomes is not a new phenomenon, but one that persists.
Historical Context: Past Sports Corruption Scandals
To illustrate the recurring nature of sports corruption, O'Reilly reviews several infamous incidents: