Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total global betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will likewise 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 accusations, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms since people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals 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 believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't want to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bet on a competitors in which they are .
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Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
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 have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe 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 business gambling in Great Britain.
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An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much helpful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated 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 says numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
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"They seek out 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