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Sport wagering market aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting 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.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 allegations, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for sports betting firms since individuals will invest money betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists 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 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which 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 regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 commercial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
bit.ly
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
bit.ly
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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