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

Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
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Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if clients can not bet 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 market now.

"Not just is it a considerable 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 allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually 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 prohibited approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents males 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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not desire to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

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

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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