sport-betting-industry-aims-to-protect-itself

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Betting on sport is huge organization.

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

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

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not bet with 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 speak about the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a substantial 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 accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers 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 banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 honest, straight and fair that is excellent for betting companies since people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.

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

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

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
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His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on potential issues around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.

"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, concurs.

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

"It is essential 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 betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules imply players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division gamer 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 threat to the video 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

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

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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