Sport wagering market seeks to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total 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 stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under danger if clients can not bet with self-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 talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world service, 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 versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned recently for six months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw 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 biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms since individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
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"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
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'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 caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines imply gamers are not to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second 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.
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"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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