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Sport wagering market seeks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England estimates the value of spending 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 summer season.
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Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gambling market will deserve 263 (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if clients can not wager with self-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 only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against 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 allegations, however was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms because individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
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"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to beware 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen 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 ladies 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough 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 industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed 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 substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much beneficial information 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 reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated 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 business."
Related web links
bit.ly
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 Wants To Protect Itself
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