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

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Betting on sport is huge company.
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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.
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Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting 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 actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering companies since individuals will spend money betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors 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 believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle potential concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

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

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."

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

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

He said that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

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

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

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually 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 regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location 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 cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

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

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

Meanwhile, he states many of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

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