Sport betting industry aims to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
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.
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And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings 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 impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a significant 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 allegations relating to 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms because people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
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"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on possible concerns around players is also through education.
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Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might 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 bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority 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 potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much useful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, 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 wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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Related web 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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