Betting on sport is substantial organization.
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Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few 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 gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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 banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are also 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.
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"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is good for wagering firms because individuals will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
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As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair 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 thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder 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 much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean gamers are not allowed 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 understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name 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 final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just 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 continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
joann82242971 edited this page 2025-01-30 09:10:10 +08:00