Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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Sport wagering market wants to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263 (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms because people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle prospective problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand name 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 final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek 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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