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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

Betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England approximates 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 actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of 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 betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 fair that is great for betting companies due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and women 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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential issues around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting 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 examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

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