Point Shaving

Point shaving is a form of match fixing in which those involved try to alter the final margin of a sporting contest without necessarily changing which side wins. In the common form, gamblers bribe players on the favored team to ensure it does not cover the point spread bookmakers have set, so the team can still win but by a smaller margin than expected, letting the bribed gambler profit by betting against it; underdogs can also be paid to lose by a wider margin so conspirators can bet on the favorite to cover. Officials, too, can be bribed or place their own bets to make questionable calls favoring one side. Convicted participants face stiff penalties, including prison time.