Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry aims to safeguard itself

Betting on sport is huge organization.


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

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Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.


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


But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if customers can not wager with self-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 speak about the sports gambling market now.


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


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 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.


There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


'Honest'


David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.


"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is good for betting firms because individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he says.


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


"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have 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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential issues around gamers is also through education.


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


"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.


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


'Brand damage'


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


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


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


"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."


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


FA rules suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.


Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states 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 wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.


"We need to overcome to players 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate 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 overwhelming majority of sports wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.


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


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


The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.


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


"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] 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 duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.


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

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Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.


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

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