Betting on sport is substantial organization.
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Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related betting 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 firm Sport & Markt estimates the general international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
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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 only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also 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 claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not related 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms because people will invest cash betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful 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 needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women 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 not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on potential issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you enhance stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
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 final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will inform sports of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider stopping 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 wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting 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 Aims To Protect Itself
gretchenhillie edited this page 2025-01-30 02:42:15 +08:00