Sport wagering industry aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates 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 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 study firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international 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 hazard if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said 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 accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related 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 honest, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid ?
According to experts 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 explains: "The only people 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 believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful 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 effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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