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Sport wagering industry aims to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is 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 general worldwide betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-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 discuss 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 newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering companies since people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be cautious about'."
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'Education'
So what can be done to prevent 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 points out: "The only individuals 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 believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle possible problems around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers '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 people do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules imply gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed 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 established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
An of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority 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 potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] 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 just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much helpful info has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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