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Betting on sport is big business.
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Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the total global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with 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 significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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 claims, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists 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 mentions: "The only individuals who can repair 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share 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 prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
briannedegruch edited this page 2025-01-29 19:10:11 -06:00