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Sport sports betting market seeks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
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sports betting on sport is big business.
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Sport England approximates the worth 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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of events are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.
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"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful about'."
'Education'
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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to deal with prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be in on any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand name 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 Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just 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 8 ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has actually likewise 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 consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out 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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