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Betting on sport is big business.

Sport England estimates the value 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes 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 impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.

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

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

Three of these gamers have stated 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 accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting market … it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.

“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may need to take care about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

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 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on possible issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through informing gamers about sports wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everyone’s interest,” he includes.

“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.

“Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he adds.

“If it loses that then people don’t want to wager, that is not in gambling firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger “brand name 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 last the following spring.

“We have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game,” he says. “Once confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

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

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

“The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.

“Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

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

“Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports wagering,” he says.

“We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just 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 ongoing investigations, which much helpful details has 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 consider ceasing a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
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Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.

“They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises.”
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