Betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if clients 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 talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against 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 allegations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 good for betting companies since people will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals 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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports wagering you enhance integrity which is 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.
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"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
carson72i0962 edited this page 2025-01-28 18:47:38 +01:00