Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Betting on sport is substantial service.
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Sport England estimates the worth 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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Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.


Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.


But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.


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


High-profile


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


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


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


Three of these gamers have said 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.


"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... 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 beware about'."


'Education'


So what can be done to prevent future scandals?


According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


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


Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.


"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.


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


'Brand damage'


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


"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."


"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 wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


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


Mr Johnson states gamers have actually 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 gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.


"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline 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 responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


'Vulnerabilities'


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


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that 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 consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.


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