Sport sports betting industry aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge company.
Sport England approximates the value of costs 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 grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total international betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise 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 claims, but was banned last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related 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 perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies because people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... 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 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 needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people 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.
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He thinks that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
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"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
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He stated that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand 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 final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting ."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much useful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
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He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "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 educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out 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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