Bookie says no chance of GAA insider betting

Supporters from both teams check out the betting odds on their teams before the game

A top GAA betting consultant has rubbished suggestions that teams are throwing games in order to cash in on bookmakers.

Offaly man Kevin Egan, who provides advice to a number of bookies including Paddy Power, said the facility to pull off the scam is almost impossible.

“People often ask me is there a danger of teams throwing games and the answer is essentially no.

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years and I haven’t seen one match that was even remotely suspicious, it would be hard to get enough money on to justify it.

“For example, I priced up Slaughtneil and Coleraine in Derry last week and tipped up Slaughtneil.

“If someone came in and tried to put a 1000 euro or £1000 on Coleraine, that would seem strange.

“Chances are if the person trying to put it on has been placing 10 or 20 euro bets all week then it will be refused.

“Bookies will use the line saying they are not obliged to take the bet and maybe take a 100 euro or 200 and then cut the price after that.”

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday August 16. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here