Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value 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 actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
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"Not only is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because people will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
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'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts 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 explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
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His organisation represents men and women 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity which remains 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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd 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 need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
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"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 issues, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web 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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