Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market aims to safeguard 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 costs 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 ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.


Meanwhile, German research study 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 gaming.


But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers 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 talks about the sports betting market now.


"Not only is it a considerable 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 associating with a test against 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.


There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
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"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 experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals 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 believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on prospective issues around players is also through education.


Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.


"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.


"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."


'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.


"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."


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


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


He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules imply players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.


Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.


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


"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 control business sports betting in Great Britain.


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


"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.


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


"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages 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 distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.


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


"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"


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


'Vulnerabilities'


But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.


He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "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 knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.


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


Related web 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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