Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England estimates the worth 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 further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies since people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
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"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
bit.ly
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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