Sport wagering industry seeks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
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Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
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Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if consumers 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 talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a substantial 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 accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will likewise 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 allegations, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is great for sports betting firms due to the fact that people will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts 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 fix a match are the competitors or the referee."
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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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to take on possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't want to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
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The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility 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 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 occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering 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
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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