It is an attempt to game the system in that it represents an attempt to use meta-game information to manipulate the playing field - to make it more level to all players.
How is the free market not level? If someone wants to protect against price volatility in a longer time frame, they hedge against it. As a general concept, if I have 100 shares of company X and I dont want to lose money on the share value, then I short 100 shares of company X...duh.
The payment processors are not going to help you out here...another fact of who is really a community member rather than a quick buck con artist. If you really wanted to help out, we have to figure out something that moves against bitcoin. I know one of the exchanges was going to put in short-selling, but I never heard anything past that.