Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself > 자유게시판

Betting on sport is huge organization.

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

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

But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

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

Three of these gamers have 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 allegations, but was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are also 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for betting firms due to the fact that people will invest cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World Sports Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.

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

His organisation represents guys and females 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 procedures, but that the method to tackle possible concerns around players is likewise through education.

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

"Through educating gamers about sports wagering you reinforce integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.

"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

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

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

"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

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

FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

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

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating majority of sports wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports bodies and sports betting."

The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] 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 duration there has actually been simply 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 continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has actually 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 think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."