Sport wagering market aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge service.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general global sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is great for sports betting companies since people will spend money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
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So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
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According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
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His organisation represents men and women 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the of a sport, and it also harms 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 details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, 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 cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
rosarioespie48 edited this page 2024-12-18 02:55:37 +00:00