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

Betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

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

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

But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not bet with confidence.
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And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering 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 considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have said they will likewise 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, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal 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 honest, straight and reasonable that is good for betting companies since individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle potential problems around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone'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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines mean players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

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

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

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

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

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."
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The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

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