Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is huge service.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is most 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 firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the betting industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not only 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 relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
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Three of these gamers have actually said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, but was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
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"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that people will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
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He believes that it is not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with prospective concerns around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
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"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen stability which remains in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we likewise 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 adds.
"If it loses that then people don't want to wager, 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 guidelines imply players are not allowed to bank on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
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 final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the prospective to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing investigations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated 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
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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