Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting 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 substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations 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 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 six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception 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 sportsmen 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 ladies 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 tackle prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen stability and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in gaming companies' 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 rules imply players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer 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 get over to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps 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 gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
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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 experienced a significant insight into world of sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [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 been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much beneficial details 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 think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"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