Sport wagering market wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge organization.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting 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 approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
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High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
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"Not just is it a significant market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise 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, but was banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 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 honest, straight and fair that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid 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 points out: "The only people who can fix 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 not enough to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to take on potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
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'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
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"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to wager, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info 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 signal sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply 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 continuous examinations, which much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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