sport-betting-industry-looks-to-protect-itself

Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling 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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients 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 service, 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 associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
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Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because people will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to professionals 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 explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

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

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

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

FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard 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 manage business gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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