Sport sports betting industry seeks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international sports betting 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 sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with self-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 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 accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said they will likewise 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 allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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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 fair that is good for sports betting companies since individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs 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 ladies 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 adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers '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 don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
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FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing 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 effective, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced 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 Aims To Protect Itself
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