Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
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There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid 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 competitors 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 not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players 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" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, 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 seeking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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