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Sport wagering industry looks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
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 most 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 study firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global sports betting 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 market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers 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.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
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 benefits wagering companies since individuals will invest money betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals 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 mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is 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 regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet 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 hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] 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 duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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