Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
approximates the value of spending on sport-related gaming 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
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Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the total global sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will likewise 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 claims, however was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited method to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated 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 viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not actually a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need 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, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors 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 thinks that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on possible problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance stability which remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest players are not allowed to bet on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
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"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate business sports betting 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 sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just 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 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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