sport-betting-industry-wants-to-protect-itself

Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
bit.ly
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total global 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 events are hit the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if consumers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.

"Not just is it a substantial 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 accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players 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 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend money betting with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care 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, the focus needs 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 rivals 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

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

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

'Brand damage'

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

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.

"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a Second 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.
bet9ja.com
"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports bodies and sports betting wagering."

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

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

"We will alert sports of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
bet9ja.com
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."