Sport wagering industry looks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big 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 likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
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And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
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As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 claims, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled betting industry ... it is not really 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 might have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional explains: "The only individuals who can repair 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.
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He thinks that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on possible problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
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"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, 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 fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard 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 gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms 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 concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also 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 prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much helpful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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