Sport wagering industry wants to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers 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.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges mounted 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 accusations, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
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"If the sport is perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful about'."
'Education'
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So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "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 not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to tackle prospective concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that remains 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 recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps 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 commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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 Wants To Protect Itself
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