Sport betting market aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few 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 just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
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There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful about'."
'Education'
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So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"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 better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in 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 "enormous".
FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough 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 manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening 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 prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts 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 details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms 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 assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated 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 much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
Adelaide Edmond edited this page 2025-01-04 16:25:18 +01:00