Betting on sport is substantial company.
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Sport England estimates the worth 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 actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general global betting 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 risk if clients can not bet 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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 six months for failing to report the illegal method 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies because individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men and females in 15 sports 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 treatments, however that the way to deal with possible issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger 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 possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much beneficial information has actually likewise 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 think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a lot of those looking to cheat the sports wagering industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
bellxaw528586 edited this page 2025-01-29 22:32:32 +08:00