Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry seeks to secure itself


16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business press reporter, BBC News


Betting on sport is substantial organization.


Sport England approximates the value of costs 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 ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.


Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the overall 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 occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if clients can not bet with confidence.


And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile


As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.


"Not only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."


Four Pakistan cricketers have 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 also 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, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.


There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


'Honest'


David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.


"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is great for sports betting firms since people will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.


"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful about'."


'Education'


So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
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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 points out: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.


Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.


"Through informing players about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.


"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."


'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.


"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."


"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.


"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".


FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.


Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.


So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.


"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.


"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.


"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.


"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."


The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.


"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.


"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"


In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.


'Vulnerabilities'


But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much beneficial information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.


He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing 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 wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.


"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."


Related internet links


World sports betting Law Report


ICC


Professional Players Federation


Professional Footballers' Association


The FA


Betfair


Sport & Markt


BLP
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Gambling Commission


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