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Betting on sport is huge company.
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.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gambling.
But when the integrity of events are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
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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 final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering 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 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 integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
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"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has also been passed to sports authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, 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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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
corinarohde88 edited this page 2025-01-29 22:50:02 +08:00