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Sport wagering industry wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
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And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise 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 claims, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is excellent for sports betting firms because people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He stated that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player 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 get over to players the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal 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 man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much useful information has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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