Betting on sport is substantial business.
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Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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Which figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the betting market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not bet 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 discuss the sports gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because people will invest money betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals 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 believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer 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 get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming 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.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "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 betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
carljeffery277 edited this page 2025-01-29 14:23:42 +00:00