The gambling intrusion into major sports

The Hill -  Congress appears poised to intensify its scrutiny of major sports leagues and their gambling partners in response to a growing number of scandals involving illicit wagering that have rocked college programs and professional teams in recent months.  An explosive scandal that hinged on point shaving and leaked injury information in the NBA last fall resulted in federal charges against a number of current and former players.  

Major League baseball recently suspended a pair of pitchers charged with throwing balls and strikes at certain times to benefit gamblers. 

And the NCAA says it is investigating a handful of athletes at smaller college basketball programs who reportedly took bribes to benefit bettors as well as a top quarterback who checked himself into rehab for gambling addiction earlier this year after reportedly wagering on a former team while with the school. 

The growing prevalence of gambling culture in sports, along with the booming business of legal sports wagering in the U.S., is sparking concern from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that the leagues and sportsbooks are not doing enough to protect game integrity and athlete safety.