sport-betting-industry-seeks-to-protect-itself

Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, 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 gamers have 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - not related 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies because people will invest money wagering with confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
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He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.

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

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn 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 game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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