Abstract
Complexity in mainstream economics consists in high intermediary consumption of mathematics. A new approach to complexity economics dwells upon path-dependent global systems; their emergence and evolving organisation. The focus here is on the complexity of the real economic world due to globalisation. On-line betting related match-fixing is a case in point about which the article presents non-exhaustive empirical evidence and shows how it is analysed with the standard model of the economics of crime. There is no room for complexity in such an individualistic approach to corrupt behaviour applied to bet-related fixes. A more complex model is sketched based on interactions between a global (though underground) market for fixes and the actual partly legal, partly illegal global sport betting market. These interactions exhibit how complex is the issue of combating betting-related match fixing. Reviewing those major policies envisaged for containing the latter—prohibition; sanctions; regulation; privatisation (betting rights)—the article opts for a global ‘Sportbettobin’ tax on sport betting gains; in the same vein as the famous Tobin tax on international capital transfers. The novelty in this approach is a variable (increasing) rate applied to increasing tranches of taxation (gains) which should dry up the worst cases of on-line bettingrelated match fixing.
Highlights
Complexity is neither a concept nor an approach used in standard mainstream economics
It is a driver to a new taxation policy that aims at putting a brake on the skyrocketing development of match fixing related to on-line betting
A recent transaction costs approach of sport betting scandals [26] has stated that, in the 21st century, with football globalisation and the invention of the Internet, a new type of betting emerged with betting platforms: anyone can offer a bet on any game in the world and punters can take up the bet and bet against it choosing among the different above-mentioned products in the sport betting market; national betting regulations can be circumvented by global on-line betting possibilities
Summary
Complexity is neither a concept nor an approach used in standard mainstream economics. This is not to say that the latter is not complex; it grows in complexity as regards its resorting to more and more mathematics. Analysts of economic complexity attempt to bring forward a better understanding of increasing complexity in the real world of a globalised economy which is illustrated here by on-line betting-related match fixing. Standard economics has not provided any precise analytical clue to comprehend the complexity of relationships between the market for rigged or fraudulent betting and the process of organising fixes in sports. A more complex economic model of interacting match fixing and sport betting is suggested. It is a driver to a new taxation policy that aims at putting a brake on the skyrocketing development of match fixing related to on-line betting
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