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Sport sports betting market wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England approximates 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 most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international 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 suffers, and earnings are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports 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 market now.
"Not just 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 police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies because people will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming 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 hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out 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
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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