Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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Sport betting industry looks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the worth 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 summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall international gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 only is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies since individuals will invest cash sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be cautious 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 points out: "The only people 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed 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 says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, which much helpful info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
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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