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Betting on sport is big business.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting market suffers, and profits are put under danger if consumers can not bet with self-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 talks about the sports gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise 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 allegations, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players '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 individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in gaming 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 "enormous".
FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 control industrial 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, which much useful information has also been passed to sports authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports wagering market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
elke39r8800639 edited this page 2025-01-29 23:09:41 +08:00