sport-betting-industry-seeks-to-protect-itself

Betting on sport is big organization.
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Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will inform sports of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."