Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
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"Not only is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to throw frames.
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There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 fair that is excellent for wagering firms since individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to take on possible problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
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"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which remains in everybody'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, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 manage business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening 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 cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise 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 simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
bit.ly
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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