Sport sports betting market aims to secure 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 costs on sport-related gambling in from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of events are struck the sports betting market suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers can not bet with 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 speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
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"Not only is it a substantial market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated 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 technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - not related 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 viewed as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits betting firms because people will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware 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 has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair 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, but that the way to deal with prospective issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you reinforce stability which remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder 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 gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause "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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," 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 confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much useful 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 reliable, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
bet9ja.com
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 Aims To Protect Itself
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