Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry seeks to secure itself


16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business reporter, BBC News


on sport is huge service.
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Sport England approximates the worth of spending 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.


Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.


But when the stability of events are struck the gambling 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.


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


Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.


Three of these gamers have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.


There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


'Honest'


David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
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"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies because individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.


"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware 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 gambling, 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 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle prospective concerns around players is also through education.


Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
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"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity which is in everybody'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 recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.


"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
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"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.


"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He said that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".


FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.


Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
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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 final the following spring.


"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


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


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


"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.


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


"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."


The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.


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


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


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


'Vulnerabilities'


But in a two-and-a-half year period 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 says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.


He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he says a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced 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 business."


Related internet links


World sports betting Law Report


ICC


Professional Players Federation


Professional Footballers' Association


The FA
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Betfair


Sport & Markt


BLP


Gambling Commission


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