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Sport wagering market aims to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting 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 considerable market in world business, 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 associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent 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 points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 business gaming 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 sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping 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 wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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