Sport wagering market seeks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that 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 season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted 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, but was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'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 is excellent for sports betting companies since people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
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"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents men and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.
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Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is vital that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate gamers are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
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Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the video 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" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gambling 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 wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the prospective to undermine the stability 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 receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous investigations, 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 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 a lot of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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