Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market looks to protect itself


16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson


Business reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is big organization.


Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.


Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.


Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general global sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.


But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if customers can not bet with confidence.


And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile


As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.


"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."


Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.


Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.


Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.


There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


'Honest'


David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.


"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.


"That is since the understanding 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 specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."


His organisation represents men and women 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 way to take on possible concerns around players is also through education.
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Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.


"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.


"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."


'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.


"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."


"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.


"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He stated that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".


FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.


Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.


So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.


"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gambling in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.


"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.


"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.


"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."


The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.


"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.


"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"


In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.


'Vulnerabilities'


But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much helpful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.


He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he says a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.


"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."


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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