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

Betting on sport is big service.

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

Which figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients 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 talks about the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing examinations - 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that is great for betting companies because people will spend money betting with self-confidence," he states.

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

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with possible problems around gamers is also through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not desire to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
bet9ja.com
He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules suggest gamers are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

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 final the following spring.

"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
bet9ja.com
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
bit.ly
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."

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

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.

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

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

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