Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

From Shiapedia

Revision as of 21:16, 24 December 2024

bet9ja.com
Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself
bit.ly

16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is substantial organization.


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


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


But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.


And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.


High-profile


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


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


Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.


Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against 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 six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.


There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


'Honest'


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


"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because individuals will spend cash sports betting with confidence," he states.


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


"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware 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 sportspersons 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 ladies 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on possible concerns around gamers is also through education.


Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.


"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.


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


'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.


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


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


"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, 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 "incalculable".


FA rules indicate players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.


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


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


"We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 industrial 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 frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.


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


"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."


The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.


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


"We will of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"


In May 2010, the commission also 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 simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


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


He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, 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 looking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.


"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."


Related web links


World sports betting Law Report


ICC


Professional Players Federation


Professional Footballers' Association


The FA


Betfair


Sport & Markt


BLP
bet9ja.com

Gambling Commission


The BBC is not responsible for the material of external sites.
bet9ja.com