Betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-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 gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, 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 allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that is great for betting firms due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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.
He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle possible issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
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"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial 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 companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
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FA rules imply players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 manage industrial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports wagering occurring 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 undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually 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 continuous examinations, which much helpful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing 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 seeking to cheat the sports wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
evelynequo2042 edited this page 2025-01-29 15:03:39 +01:00