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Sport sports betting market looks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
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sports betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on 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 study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies since individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and ladies 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on prospective concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone'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 advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
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"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer 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 get over to players the reputational danger 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" technique, then perhaps 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 business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much helpful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
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The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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