Betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related betting 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 further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports gambling.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
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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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said 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, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits betting firms since people will spend money betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women in 15 sports betting 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, however that the way to take on potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance 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 essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He said that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might 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 threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial information has also been passed to sports authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense 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 educated about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
famvivien7450 edited this page 2025-01-29 23:02:01 +08:00