Sport wagering industry aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
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Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general global gaming 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 events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 just is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - 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 viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering companies since individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
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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 fix a match are the competitors 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 thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle possible problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a great 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 involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
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 gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business sports betting in Great .
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 overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
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"They seek out 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
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BLP
bet9ja.com
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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