bet9ja.com
Sport sports betting industry looks to protect itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
Sport England approximates 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 likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting firms because people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful 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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and women 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 to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on possible issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough 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".
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 interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for 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
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
bet9ja.com
1
Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
wendellwilmer edited this page 2024-12-31 18:07:24 +00:00