Sport wagering industry wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not wager 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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also 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 accusations, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies because individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable 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 beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
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Mr Taylor says rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
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"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts 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 distribute details 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 notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
bit.ly
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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