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Sport wagering industry seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most 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 estimates the general worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under hazard if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of ."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
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Three of these players have said they will likewise 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 claims, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is good for sports betting firms since people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players 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 better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition 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 might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
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 last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps 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 business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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