Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering market aims to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business press reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is big service.


Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.


Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total international gaming 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 struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.


And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 significant market in world business, 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 relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.


Three of these players have 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.


There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 fair that is great for sports betting companies because people will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.


"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need 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, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people 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 Association.


He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is also through education.
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Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.


"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.


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


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


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


He said that once a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are involved.


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


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


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


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, 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 bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.


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


"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."


The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details 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 states.


"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"


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


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


However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.


He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he says many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.


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


Related internet links


World sports betting Law Report


ICC


Professional Players Federation


Professional Footballers' Association


The FA


Betfair


Sport & Markt


BLP


Gambling Commission