Betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
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He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, 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 "enormous".
FA rules suggest players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
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Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video 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" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] 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 period there has been just one criminal 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 examinations, which much beneficial information has actually likewise been passed to sports authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
tahliamawson4 edited this page 2025-01-30 01:10:23 +00:00