Sport sports betting industry wants to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that is excellent for since individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.
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"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts 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 mentions: "The only people 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 thinks that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with prospective problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"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 straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] 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 actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says many of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
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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