Sport wagering market aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge business.
Sport England estimates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
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Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall international gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting 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 significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have stated they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, but was banned last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - 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 truthful, straight and fair that is great for wagering companies because individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK regulated betting market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be careful about'."
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'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and ladies 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 inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to tackle potential issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that is 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 guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than cure, 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 do not want to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA guidelines mean gamers are not allowed to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players have 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 fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has been harmed it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy 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 police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share 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 states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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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 examinations, which much beneficial info has 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 discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.
"They look for 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
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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