Sport wagering market wants to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial service.
approximates the worth 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 grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
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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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players 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 claims, however was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 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 honest, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors 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 thinks that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with potential issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance 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 suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says 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 have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gambling 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 frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
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The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented 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 guy who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, 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 aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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 Wants To Protect Itself
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