Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial service.
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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.
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And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.


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


But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.


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


High-profile


As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.


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


Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.


Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise 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 claims, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.


There are also 2 other continuing examinations - 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 is great for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.


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


'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential concerns around gamers is also through education.


Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.


"Through informing players about sports wagering you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.


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


'Brand damage'


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


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


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


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


He said that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.


Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.


So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.


"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard 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 industrial gambling 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.


"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.


"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.


"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."


The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.


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


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


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


'Vulnerabilities'


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


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful info has also been passed to sports authorities.


He said that where an investigation 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 betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.


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