Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport betting market seeks to secure itself

Sport wagering industry looks to protect itself

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16 September 2010


By Bill Wilson


Business press reporter, BBC News


sports betting on sport is big business.


Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.


And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.


Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the total global gaming 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 industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if customers 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.

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High-profile


As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting gambling market now.


"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."

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Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.


Three of these players have actually said 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.


There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.


'Honest'

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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

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"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.


"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market ... 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 may have to beware about'."


'Education'


So what can be done to avoid future scandals?


According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.


As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.


He believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with possible concerns around players is also through education.


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


"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.


"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."


'Brand damage'


Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.


"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."


"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.


"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."


He said that once an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".


FA rules mean players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.


Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.


So, even a Second Division player 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 video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."


'Overwhelmingly legal'


If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".


The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.


An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.


"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.


"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.


"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."


The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.


"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.


"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"


In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.


'Vulnerabilities'


But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.


However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has also 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 ceasing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".


Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, 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


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