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Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

Betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England approximates the value 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 season.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if clients can not bet with self-confidence.

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 just is it a significant 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 accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 allegations, however was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not associated 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 perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms since people will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not truly a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that 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 gambling, 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 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 thinks that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone'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 recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.

"We need to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating bulk 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 possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for 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
bit.ly
The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt
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BLP

Gambling Commission
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