Sport wagering industry aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
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Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting 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 substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have said they will also 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 claims, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
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There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that people will invest cash betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules need to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need 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 autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 manage industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"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 wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply 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 details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, 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 seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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