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Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general 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 sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world organization, 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 against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 allegations, but was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are also two 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 perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with potential issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing 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 don't wish to bet, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much useful info has actually also 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 terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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