Sport wagering industry aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a significant 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 allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not related 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 honest, straight and fair that is good for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women 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 procedures, but that the method to deal with prospective problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling 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 do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"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
bit.ly
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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