Sport sports betting industry aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending 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 grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under danger if clients can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a significant 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 claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will likewise 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 allegations, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing investigations - unrelated 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering firms because individuals will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent 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 mentions: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents men and women 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 way to tackle prospective concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"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, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules mean players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to overcome to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority 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 result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports sports betting," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, 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 think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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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