Betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which 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 study company Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering firms since people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"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, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name 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 get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe 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 commercial betting 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 overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal 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 guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much useful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, 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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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
hershelconnors edited this page 2025-01-29 22:50:14 +08:00