Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

I am completely untroubled by the following idea but I've been told by those that I respect that it is suspect for a number of reasons I will articulate later once I receive some replies. Opinions:

I am a law student and currently support myself and family of four w/ a combination of scholarships, some light loans and about 30 hours a week of online poker. During exams, however, I work very little and focus mostly on studying. Since I'm nocturnal I'm at the law library during wierd hours (10pm to 6am).

To the point, there is a "special" person (I'm not sure his exact diagnosis but I'm think either autistic or some kind of extreme form of OCD w/ a personality disorder of some kind) who spends about 12 hours a day in the library pouring over the baseball encylopedia, reviewing detailed game logs, and filling a gigantic notebook full of notes, stats, lineups, etc for MLB.

My first thought is that I should check out how successfull he is at analysing matchup and employ him to assist me in finding baseball bets w/ good overlays.

I chat with him one day and though I have yet to confirm things (which I plan on doing by having him share his picks and evaluate pitching matchups for a while with no betting involved) I suspect he is quite talented at analysing baseball data; though communicating with him is difficult.

Now, assuming that I compensated him fairly, or tried to reach some kind of arrangement with any legal guardian he might have, do you see anything wrong with employing this guy as a handicapper (or more precisely, to assist me in handicapping as I don't expect him to understand/learn gambling concepts)?

Also, tell me if this wrong forum.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

Employing the handicapped as a handicapper. Priceless.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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Employing the handicapped as a handicapper. Priceless.

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Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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Employing the handicapped as a handicapper. Priceless.

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Yes yes it is. But what would be even more priceless is cleaning up next season.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

i dont think you understand baseball betting.

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I am a law student

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Did anyone else see that coming?

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I am a law student

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Did anyone else see that coming?

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Fair enough.

Your thought about baseball betting on the other hand is false but understandable. I'm a pretty decent capper (thought not an expert by any means) though I just don't have the time it takes to put in the work to beat the oddsmakers. If I had a partner dedicated to analyzing baseball data and could answer very specific questions for me I could set my own lines with about half the work it would take to do it otherwise and greatly increase my chances of finding good overlays.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

Well, just to clarify my main concerns with pursuing this relationship are:

(1) Putting the stress of employment on someone who may not be able to handle it and aggravating a mental health condition that I don't understand (employing someone who is unemployable).

(2) Opening myself up to accusations of being a conman and taking advantage of a vulnerable person from guardians or even the state.

(3) If they are no legal guardians with whom to handle the financial aspect with, providing someone who is not capable of managing money in a healthy way with a paycheck.

(4) Criminal liability for operating a "gambling operation" (still researching the law w/r to running a handicapping team in my state).

After all, I am a law student (scum of the earth so I've been told).

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

there is nothing wrong whatsoever in my mind in taking a disabled person with an extraordinary talent and putting it to practice.

if the guy truly can beat oddsmakers then he should be rewarded for it.

however, since you are the backer, it really comes down to you trusting his capability. in essence, you are making the bets and he is just your advisor.

there really is no way to be assured that he can beat oddsmakers. even if he does beat them over a pretty decent period it could all be variance, but of course you just have to use your best judgment.

either way, if you can make it happen then i say awesome for both parties.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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I am a law student

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Did anyone else see that coming?

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If I had a partner dedicated to analyzing baseball data and could answer very specific questions for me

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do you really think a retard is capable of this sort of thing? for all that data to actually mean something, youre gonna need a computer program.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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I am a law student

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Did anyone else see that coming?

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If I had a partner dedicated to analyzing baseball data and could answer very specific questions for me

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do you really think a retard is capable of this sort of thing? for all that data to actually mean something, youre gonna need a computer program.

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I know you are using the term loosely but I'm not sure he quite qualifies as retarded. I'm not a doctor however.

I'm not sure what I'd need a computer program for. Simulations based on baseball stats aren't incredibly useful. It's art and science analyzing matchups.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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I am a law student

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Did anyone else see that coming?

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If I had a partner dedicated to analyzing baseball data and could answer very specific questions for me

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do you really think a retard is capable of this sort of thing? for all that data to actually mean something, youre gonna need a computer program.

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I care for a person that is an "idiot savant". I need to supervise his personal hygiene and he can't be allowed anywhere near a stove, but he can play several instruments on the virtuoso level and can hear a song once and instantly replay it on a variety of instruments. It's the same thing with people who can do large math calculations in their head but can't spell on a 6th grade level. I've found that nothing excites such people with unique gifts more than someone who shares their enthusiasm for it, so by all means let him help you out as long as he gets a fair share and doesn't mind doing it.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

Points to keep in mind:

1) The fact that he may be able to memorize sports trivia and records does not mean that he will be able to help with handicapping.

2) Your ability to work with him will likely be hampered by his severely limited social skills and common sense (re: think of the scene in Rainman where Charlie and Raymond are in the casino).

3) Since he is likely on Social Security Disability, any income he makes may have to reported.

4) I think an easier way for you to make money would be to stage a slip and fall in the library.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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Points to keep in mind:

1) The fact that he may be able to memorize sports trivia and records does not mean that he will be able to help with handicapping.

2) Your ability to work with him will likely be hampered by his severely limited social skills and common sense (re: think of the scene in Rainman where Charlie and Raymond are in the casino).

3) Since he is likely on Social Security Disability, any income he makes may have to reported.

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Excellent points. Especially about SS; I had not thought of that.

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4) I think an easier way for you to make money would be to stage a slip and fall in the library.


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nh [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] But haven't you been following the tort reform movement? Slip and fall just ain't what it used to be. Plus it's law school for christ sakes; I've probably waived future claims for negligence in like 20 different documents I've signed.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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do you really think a retard is capable of this sort of thing? for all that data to actually mean something, youre gonna need a computer program.

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Don't assume that, just because someone has a mental disability, he's retarded or unable to contribute.

Last year I had a 7th grade student with aspergers (a form of autism). Know what his idea of fun was? Reading college textbooks. His science teacher told me she couldn't keep up with him; he knew everything she was teaching.

To the original poster: if he's interested and his guardian, if he has one, doesn't object, I can't see a problem, but you'd probably want to avoid ending up with an employee-employer relationship. Just be two friends betting on sports :-)

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

I can't see an ethical problem with it. You're asking him for advice regarding the thing he loves.

I've worked a fair bit with autistic children. Their social skills really improve when they have a 'normal' adult who shares their special interests. (In the cases where the child does have a special interest.)

No idea on the law though.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

A lot of people have a knee jerk reaction that disabled people have to be protected from the big bad world.

You have to be careful that you don't run into trouble with that.

Personally, I say go for it, as long as you don't have it in your head that you're exploiting the guy (rather that he's helping you).

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

My godfather is in a wheelchair, and he makes money on horse betting.

On a serious note...
I assume that you are asking this in an ethical sense, and so you should consider the relevant moral principles in making this decision. Everyone, even the mentally disabled, should have their welfare and autonomy respected. I think the main concern people have is with these points, that you might be exploiting this person unfairly.

According to what you've described, I don't think you would be doing this. The important things to keep in mind though are that you don't manipulate the individual into participating against their will or better judgement, and that he is fairly rewarded. These concerns must be handled with care, and I suggest that you propose a scheme that would be acceptable to any person providing the same service to you, regardless of their (dis)abilities. You must take care not to expose this person to the financial risk inherent in gambling unless you can be certain that he understands the implications and is adequately bankrolled. Since you have stated already that you do not intend to expose him to this or expect him to understand, then I don't see any problem with what you are doing as long as you are not using his handicap to get him to do work for less than its fair price. This would include paying him even if you lose; your risk should not be his risk if you do not expect him to understand gambling concepts. I do think you are doing a good thing; plenty of posters have mentioned what a positive effect someone sharing an interest can have on someone like this. Good luck.

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

Your problem seems to be that you think his advise will allow you to beat the books. There is nothing morally wrong with hiring him otherwise. In fact why would you even post something that stupid? He is either fit for the job or he isn't, what could it possibly matter if he is handicapped?

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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My godfather is in a wheelchair, and he makes money on horse betting.

On a serious note...
I assume that you are asking this in an ethical sense, and so you should consider the relevant moral principles in making this decision. Everyone, even the mentally disabled, should have their welfare and autonomy respected. I think the main concern people have is with these points, that you might be exploiting this person unfairly.

According to what you've described, I don't think you would be doing this. The important things to keep in mind though are that you don't manipulate the individual into participating against their will or better judgement, and that he is fairly rewarded. These concerns must be handled with care, and I suggest that you propose a scheme that would be acceptable to any person providing the same service to you, regardless of their (dis)abilities. You must take care not to expose this person to the financial risk inherent in gambling unless you can be certain that he understands the implications and is adequately bankrolled. Since you have stated already that you do not intend to expose him to this or expect him to understand, then I don't see any problem with what you are doing as long as you are not using his handicap to get him to do work for less than its fair price. This would include paying him even if you lose; your risk should not be his risk if you do not expect him to understand gambling concepts. I do think you are doing a good thing; plenty of posters have mentioned what a positive effect someone sharing an interest can have on someone like this. Good luck.

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Well Said [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I concur. If you can make this a profitable (not strictly on monetary terms) relationship then you will be doing a good thing. Just make sure you cover the legalities and income reporting angles.

Just don't try the card-counting thing as that might end badly, unless of course he is an excellent driver. (Sorry, I could not resist.)

Re: Employing (Using?) A Disabled Person to Pick Sports Bets
 

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