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Sport betting market wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
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Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research 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 occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and revenues are put under risk if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting firms because individuals will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care 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 sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle possible problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't want to wager, that is not in gambling 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 rules mean players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might trigger "brand name 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 need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.
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An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for 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
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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