Betting on sport is huge service.
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Sport England approximates the worth of costs 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two 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 sincere, straight and fair that is great 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 managed betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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 points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents guys 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 sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that is in everybody'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 guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest gamers are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
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 danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, 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 interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms 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 avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful details has likewise been passed to sports authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
maplegray3574 edited this page 2025-01-30 11:54:35 +08:00