Sport wagering market looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only 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 accusations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated 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 claims, but was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report 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."
His organisation represents guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
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In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
bet9ja.com
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
bet9ja.com
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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