Sport wagering industry wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just 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 police over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise 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 claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly 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 commercial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced 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 unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out 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
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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