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Sport sports betting market wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total global 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 events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under danger 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 considerable market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, but was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies due to the fact that individuals will invest money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on prospective issues around players is also through .
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not allowed 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 knowledge, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer 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 players the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity 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 info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful info has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
bet9ja.com
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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