1 Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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Betting on sport is substantial service.

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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.

"Not only is it a considerable 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 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for betting companies because people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with possible concerns around players is also through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains 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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.

"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 business gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.

"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of money.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."