Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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Sport wagering industry looks to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value 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 grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will also 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are also 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.
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"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for sports betting companies because people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
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'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals 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 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming 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 overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much helpful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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