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Sport sports betting industry looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge service.
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 grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if customers can not wager with 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually 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 installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for sports betting firms since people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that 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, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people 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, however that the method to tackle possible concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability and that 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 regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
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"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
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 Aims To Protect Itself
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