Sport sports betting market wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in 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 summertime.
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Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gambling 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 gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if consumers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because people will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware 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, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor 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 females 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 procedures, but that the method to take on possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity 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 regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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