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

Betting on sport is big service.

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

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

But when the integrity of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

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

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
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"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - 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 perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on possible problems around players is also through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports wagering you strengthen integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

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

"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation 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 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 bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

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

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

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

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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