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Sport sports betting industry seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not wager with 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 discuss the sports betting gambling 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 police over spot-fixing accusations connecting 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
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"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms due to the fact that people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"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 companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand 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 have to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their ."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
bit.ly
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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