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Sport sports betting market wants to protect 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 worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under threat if consumers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually said they will also 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 recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 is great for sports betting firms because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need 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, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can repair 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 believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules imply players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details 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 signal sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful info 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 efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"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
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Wants To Protect Itself
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