Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is big organization.


Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.


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


But when the stability of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if clients can not bet with self-confidence.


And there can have been few 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 gambling market now.


"Not just is it a significant market in world company, 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 actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against 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, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.


There are likewise two other continuing investigations - 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 sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms since people will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... 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 need to beware about'."


'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


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


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals 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 not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle possible issues around players is likewise through education.


Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.


"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.


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


'Brand damage'


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


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


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


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


He said that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules imply gamers are not permitted 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 says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.


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


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


'Overwhelmingly legal'


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


The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial betting in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.


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


"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."


The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.


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


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


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


'Vulnerabilities'


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


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


He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.


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