While the governing bodies of British sports leagues are far better prepared to prevent gambling corruption than their US counterparts, a need for more controls is still seen. The United Kingdom sports minister is conducting talks with sports officials to foresee potential scandal in cooperation with online casinos.
Worldwide, experts have testified that the danger of gambling-influenced match fixing has grown greater than the problem of performance-enhancing drugs.
"The budget for the UK's anti-doping programme has just increased to £8 million a year. This includes a huge testing programme which has a considerable deterrent affect," says Tim Payton, head of an association of sports leagues. "The same rigor needs to be applied to match fixing."
Gerry Sutcliffe, British sports minister, is pushing for monitoring any bets placed by professional athletes, even outside their own sport. Also suggested is a system of random checks on accounts held with internet casino or local sports gambling firms, such as William Hill.
The cooperation of gaming operators helps both leagues, fans, and UK casino to enjoy the benefits of an honest and transparent game. Keeping track of potential pitfalls for athletes who might gamble their way into trouble gives leagues the chance to intervene before shady characters can apply pressure to fix matches.
In just over a year, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission had investigated 47 incidents involving potential gambling problems and fixed games. Soccer, snooker, and horse racing are seen as having the biggest difficulties with gambling, but cricket and tennis are also suspect.
Worldwide, experts have testified that the danger of gambling-influenced match fixing has grown greater than the problem of performance-enhancing drugs.
"The budget for the UK's anti-doping programme has just increased to £8 million a year. This includes a huge testing programme which has a considerable deterrent affect," says Tim Payton, head of an association of sports leagues. "The same rigor needs to be applied to match fixing."
Gerry Sutcliffe, British sports minister, is pushing for monitoring any bets placed by professional athletes, even outside their own sport. Also suggested is a system of random checks on accounts held with internet casino or local sports gambling firms, such as William Hill.
The cooperation of gaming operators helps both leagues, fans, and UK casino to enjoy the benefits of an honest and transparent game. Keeping track of potential pitfalls for athletes who might gamble their way into trouble gives leagues the chance to intervene before shady characters can apply pressure to fix matches.
In just over a year, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission had investigated 47 incidents involving potential gambling problems and fixed games. Soccer, snooker, and horse racing are seen as having the biggest difficulties with gambling, but cricket and tennis are also suspect.