sport-betting-industry-wants-to-protect-itself

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Betting on sport is substantial business.
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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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Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

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

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

High-profile

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

"Not just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

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

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting firms since individuals will spend money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

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

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The overwhelming bulk of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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