Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
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.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this .
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually 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 allegations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
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'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, 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 competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' 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 likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is 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 regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "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 have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"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
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Gambling Commission
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