Sport wagering market wants to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
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As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 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 benefits sports betting firms since individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
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According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on prospective problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players 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, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean 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 could cause "brand name damage" to and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video 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" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information 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 male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much helpful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web 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 Aims To Protect Itself
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