Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting industry wants to safeguard 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 worth of spending on sport-related gaming 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.


Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
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But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if customers can not wager with self-confidence.


And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting 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 organization, 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 players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.


Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.


There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


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


"If the sport is perceived as sincere, and fair that is excellent for sports betting firms because people will spend cash betting with self-confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not truly 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 need to take care about'."


'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


According to experts 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 mentions: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


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


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


"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.


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


'Brand damage'


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


"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."


"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.


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


He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules indicate players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
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Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.


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


"We have to overcome to gamers 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" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial betting in Great Britain.


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


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


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


"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."


The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.


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


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


In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information 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 cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much beneficial 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 reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.


"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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Related web 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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