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Sport wagering market looks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in 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 summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide 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 events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
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"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors 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 not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
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"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd 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 game," he states. "Once confidence has 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
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The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful info 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 says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
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Betfair
Sport & Markt
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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