Sport sports betting market looks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge service.
Sport England estimates 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 grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global sports betting 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 hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few 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 significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
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Three of these players have stated they will also 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive 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'
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So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals 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 believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle potential issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity 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 regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He stated that as soon as an excellent 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 says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "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 bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, 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 outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web links
bet9ja.com
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 Looks To Protect Itself
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