Sport betting market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates 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 most likely to have actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming 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 gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just 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 police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs 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 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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He stated that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules imply players are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand 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 last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 says.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential 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 man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
bet9ja.com
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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