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Sport sports betting market looks to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the value 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 actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total 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 hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if consumers can not wager 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 just is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus 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 last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related 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 wagering companies since people will invest money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder 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 telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information 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 notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period 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 ongoing investigations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, 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 lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"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
BLP
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Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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