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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
louannwpx35725 edited this page 2025-01-29 15:03:05 +00:00

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Betting on sport is huge organization.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

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

But when the stability of events are hit the betting market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if customers can not wager with confidence.

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

High-profile
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As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have actually stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is good for betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.

"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons 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 guys and women in 15 sports in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you strengthen stability which 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 regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

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

He stated that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules imply gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

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

So, even a Second Division player 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 overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting 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 reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports wagering."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information 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 reduce [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

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