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

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Betting on sport is substantial business.
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Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting 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 considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus 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, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

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

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody'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 regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

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

He stated that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors 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 could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

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

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] 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 actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.

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