Sport sports betting industry wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the value of spending 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 actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus 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 prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - 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 wagering firms because people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful 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 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 competitors 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 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.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which remains 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 advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers '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 gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an in-house 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 wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much helpful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out 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
bit.ly
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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