Sport sports betting industry looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
bit.ly
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge service.
Sport England estimates the worth of costs 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 actually grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall global gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and revenues are put under risk if customers can not bet with self-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 talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware 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 gambling, the focus has 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle prospective issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean players are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal 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 8 ongoing investigations, which much useful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for 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
bet9ja.com
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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