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

Betting on sport is big service.
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Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not bet with confidence.

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

High-profile

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

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

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

Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is great for betting firms because people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
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"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

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

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
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"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
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"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information 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 states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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