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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Sport wagering seeks to secure itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is huge service.

Sport England estimates the value 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 even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of events are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk if consumers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.

“Not only is it a significant 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 accusations associating with a test versus England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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 banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique 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 most significant online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will spend cash wagering with self-confidence,” he states.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market … it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.

“That is since the understanding is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to be careful about’.”

‘Education’

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on possible issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

“Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everybody’s interest,” he adds.

“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice 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 crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.

“If it loses that then people don’t wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He said that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was “enormous”.

FA rules imply players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might cause “brand name damage” to football and its competitions.

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 overcome to gamers the reputational threat to the game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has 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 regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the “stick”.

The Gambling Commission was set up 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 wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.

“Such unfaithful has the prospective 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 developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he says.

“We will inform sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity”

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.

‘Vulnerabilities’

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has likewise 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 think about terminating a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he states numerous of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.

“They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to help 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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