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

bit.ly
Betting on sport is big organization.

Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
bet9ja.com
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients can not wager 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

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

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

Three of these players have said they will also 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 last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

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

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that is excellent for betting companies since individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually 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 beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

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

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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, but that the way to take on prospective concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing players about sports wagering you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.

"If gamers 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, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling 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 firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank 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 states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business betting in Great Britain.

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

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking location 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 cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

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

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
bit.ly
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
bit.ly