Sport sports betting market wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
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Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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 recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms because individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with potential issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
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"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or [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 just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "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 people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
bet9ja.com
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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