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

Betting on sport is substantial company.

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

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

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

But when the stability of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not bet with 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 speak about the sports betting gambling 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 been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal 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, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

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

His organisation represents males and ladies 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

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

"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.

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

'Brand damage'

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

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

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

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

He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
bet9ja.com
FA rules mean players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
bet9ja.com
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business 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 overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening 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 occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

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

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

'Vulnerabilities'
bet9ja.com
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating 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 and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

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