Sport wagering industry wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial organization.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related sports betting 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not wager with 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 market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful technique to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - 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 perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can fix 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle prospective concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
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"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers 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.
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"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest players 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 understanding, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial sports betting 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
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The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] 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 duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, which much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
bit.ly
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Stewart Gorecki edited this page 2024-12-22 03:57:35 +00:00