Sport sports betting market wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
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"Not just 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 versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting 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 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on possible concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking location 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 unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
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The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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