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Sport sports betting market wants to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most 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 company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about 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 newspapers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise 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 allegations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - 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 fair that is excellent for sports betting companies since individuals will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent 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 explains: "The only individuals 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 believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with potential problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules imply players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 business gaming 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 overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] 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 duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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