Sport betting market aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually 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 likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies due to the fact that people will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on prospective issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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
The BBC is not accountable for the material of external websites.
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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