If You Knew Someone Was Betting on Insider Information, Would You Report Them or Ask for the Info?

[oli_sussex]

Ethical question. Real scenario, anonymised.

While working at the exchange I became aware a colleague had a contact inside a Premier League club. Not match fixing. Just genuine inside information on team selections and injury status before public announcement.

He was consistently profitable in a very specific and suspicious pattern.

I said nothing. Didn't report him. Didn't ask for the information either.

Told myself staying out of it was the ethical choice.

Looking back I'm not sure it was. I just didn't want to get involved either way.

What would you actually do? Not what you should do. What you'd actually do.

 

[FadeThePublic]

Honest answer?

I'd ask for the info.

I want to say I'd report it. Sounds better. Protects integrity of the sport I profit from.

But if a mate pulled me aside and said "I know the starting eleven before it goes public" I'd want in.

I'd tell myself it's not really cheating. It's just information. Information exists. Someone has it.

That's the rationalization and I know it's a rationalization.

But yeah. I'd ask.

 

[TaffyTipster]

Report them?

Mate I'd be asking within thirty seconds.

Look I know that's wrong.

But if someone said "I know the Wales team sheet two days early" I'd have my phone out before they finished the sentence.

That's honest.

Not proud but honest.

 

[SharpEddie47]

I want to say report.

My whole betting philosophy is based on finding genuine edges through legitimate analysis. Insider information corrupts the market and ultimately makes it harder for everyone who does it properly.

But would I actually report someone?

No. Almost certainly not.

Would I take the information?

This is where it gets complicated. I'd want to. But I think my CLV-based approach would make me uncomfortable using it. Hard to validate your methodology when the edge isn't yours.

 

[ParlayPrincess_88]

I'd definitely report them!

That's cheating and it's not fair!

...

Actually wait.

If my friend told me something about a Chiefs player before it was announced would I really report them?

Probably not.

I hate that I just talked myself out of my own answer in real time.

 

[CoachTony_Bets]

As a coach I have a different angle here.

Information about players - injuries, morale, internal conflict - sometimes reaches me before it's public. Not because anyone's doing anything wrong. Just because coaching networks talk.

I have a strict personal rule that I never use anything I hear through coaching channels for betting.

Because if I did, I'd be exactly the person Oli is describing.

The line between "I know things because of my professional position" and "insider trading" is thinner than people think.

 

[Klaus]

Would not report. Would not use the information.

Reporting: creates professional complications, uncertain outcome, personal risk.

Using information: violates integrity principles I hold seriously. Also potentially illegal depending on jurisdiction.

Staying out: what Oli describes doing. Probably the actual outcome for most people.

The three options are not equal. Most people default to option three while telling themselves they would choose option one.