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Sport sports betting market looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
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.
And that figure is most likely to have actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
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 ."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
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 most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding 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 has to be on sportspersons 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 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 not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle possible issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which remains in everyone'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, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in gambling 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 "enormous".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share 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 notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal 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, 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 consider ceasing a criminal investigation "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 industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
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 Wants To Protect Itself
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