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Sport wagering industry wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England the value of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard 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 company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said 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 accusations, but was banned recently for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 is great for wagering companies since individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception 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 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 explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and women 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He said that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
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FA rules imply players are not allowed to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
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Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the 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" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much beneficial 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 cost efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web links
bit.ly
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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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