Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Sport wagering industry looks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related 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 further, with an ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall global gaming 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 incomes are put under risk if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
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 players have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
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Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is great for betting companies because individuals will spend money sports betting with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering 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 might need to be mindful 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 has to be on sportspersons 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 thinks that it is not sufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, 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 bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, 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 cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
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"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring 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 cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said 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 says a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for 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
bit.ly
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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