Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering market aims to safeguard itself


16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business press reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is big service.


Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.


And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.


Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.


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 couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.


High-profile


As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.


"Not just is it a considerable 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 allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.


Three of these gamers have said 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, however was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.


There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.


"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.


"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware about'."


'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


According to experts at a World sports betting Law into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle prospective issues around gamers is also through education.


Mr Taylor states rules need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.


"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.


"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."


'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.


"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."


"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.


"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 good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to bank 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 trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.


So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.


"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video 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" approach, 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 commercial gambling in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.


"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.


"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.


"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."


The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.


"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.


"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"


In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.


'Vulnerabilities'


But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.


He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.


"They seek out 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
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Gambling Commission


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