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

Betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

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

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting 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 been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against 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 banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for betting companies because people will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.

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

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

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

He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on prospective problems around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
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"If it loses that then individuals do not want to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

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

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

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

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
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"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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