sport-betting-industry-seeks-to-protect-itself

Betting on sport is huge business.
bet9ja.com
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.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.

But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
bet9ja.com
High-profile

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

"Not just is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for betting firms since individuals will invest money betting with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
bet9ja.com
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

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

He thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on prospective problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described clearly to players 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 players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.

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

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

"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
bet9ja.com
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division player 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 danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports wagering," he states.

"We will notify sports of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much beneficial details has also been passed to sports authorities.

He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports wagering industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."