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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
Sport sports betting market aims to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big business.
Sport England approximates the value 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 even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total worldwide sports betting market will be worth 263 (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.
“Not just is it a substantial market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers.”
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims relating to a test versus England at Lord’s last month.
Three of these players have said 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for failing to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations – unrelated to Mr Higgins – into snooker.
‘Honest’
David O’Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK’s most significant online sporting exchanges.
“If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits sports betting companies since individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence,” he states.
“If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK managed betting industry … it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
“That is because the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to take care 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, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players’ Federation mentions: “The only people who can fix a match are the competitors 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 believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to deal with possible concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be explained clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
“Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity which remains in everybody’s interest,” he includes.
“If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”
‘Brand damage’
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
“Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling players ‘you are going to be caught’.”
“It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight,” he includes.
“If it loses that then individuals don’t want to wager, that is not in sports betting firms’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”
He stated that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.
FA guidelines imply players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause “brand damage” to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer 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 get over to players the reputational risk to the game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back – mud sticks.”
‘Overwhelmingly legal’
If this represents the “carrot” method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable,” he states.
“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
“Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
“Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he says.
“We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity”
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
‘Vulnerabilities’
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.
Meanwhile, he says a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of cash.
“They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist 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
