Sport betting market seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is huge organization.
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.
Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for sports betting firms since individuals will invest money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
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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 not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on potential problems around players is likewise through education.
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Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability which remains in everybody'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 recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
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Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "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 danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
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"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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