Inside Asian Gaming

April 2016 inside asian gaming 27 Athletes. In 2010 ESSA wrote out a code of conduct on sports betting for athletes for over 50,000 sportsmen and women across the continent (see below). Former players were recruited to go into changing rooms and explain it. The European Commission even stumped up two rounds of funding. “Back then a lot of sports weren’t taking the issue seriously. It was down to us to educate athletes about the issue instead of the federations,” says Ali. “We’d love to do something similar in Asia.” Of course there are limits to what ESSA can do. It’s entirely up to a sporting body to make an investigation once the Association has passed on its evidence. “We don’t actually see what goes on afterwards. That’s something we’ve been asking the authorities to do: give us more feedback,” cross-border with necessary extradition treaties not in place. It can take a lot of resources to build up a case, and most police forces have higher priorities.” International political pressure, however, is growing. One manifestation has been the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, concluded in September 2014 and so far signed by 20 member states. A requirement of the treaty will be that all signatories set up a “national platform” or agency dedicated to combating match fixing, which should enable a much more coordinated and robust international effort. In April last year the International Centre for Sport Security and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime announced a partnership to strengthen investigations and prosecutions into match-fixing; a clear recognition that the problem is now global. Asian bookmakers have a clear interest in joining ESSA’s fight. Both sides would benefit from monitoring and sharing their betting information. So far, says Ali, feedback has been encouraging. “When I spoke at an event in Macau last month they were extremely curious to know more about us,” he says. “A lot of operators we have been speaking to here are looking for an integrity function in their organizations. I think they now realize it’s a requirement of the way they do business.” Features 1. Know the rules. Ask your club, federation or athletes association what the rules on betting are in your sport and in your country. 2. Never bet on yourself or the opponent. As a professional athlete you must never bet on any match you or your team is involved in as it would trigger a conflict of interest not compatible with the integrity of sport. 3. Play safe – don’t bet on your own sport at all. You are likely to know and be friends with many athletes in your sport and you are therefore best advised not to make any bets on your sport to avoid potential problems. 4. Be careful about handling sensitive information. As an athlete you will have access to information that is not yet available to the general public, such as knowing that your star player is injured or that the coach is putting out a weakened side. You should never swap sensitive information on you, your team or your sport for rewards, gifts or favors. 5. Fixing a competition: an absolute No-No. Whatever the reason, do not seek to fix any aspect of a competition. Do not put yourself in a situation which would bring you, or even force you, to adversely influence the natural course of a match. ESSA’s Code of Conduct for European athletes on issues surrounding the integrity of sport and betting ... it has also been difficult to motivate law enforcers. They tend to see match- fixing as a soft, victimless crime, although in truth betting operators are being defrauded. Cases are often cross-border with necessary extradition treaties not in place. It can take a lot of resources to build up a case, and most police forces have higher priorities. says Ali. In the past it has also been difficult to motivate law enforcers. “They tend to see match-fixing as a soft, victimless crime, although in truth betting operators are being defrauded,” Ali says. “Cases are often