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

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Betting on sport is big service.

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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers 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 gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players have actually 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated 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 honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not really 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 avoid future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs 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 competitors or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle possible problems around players is likewise through education.

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

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as a good 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 included.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business betting in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has actually 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 think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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