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

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Betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the stability of events are struck the betting market suffers, and profits are put under danger if consumers 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 betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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

Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 allegations, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal 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, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting companies since people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting 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 take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."

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

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

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

FA rules imply players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd 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 gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.

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

The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just 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 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says much of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering market were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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