Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big organization.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the overall international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of events are hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under danger if customers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a substantial market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also 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 prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal method to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 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 perceived as honest, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies because people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
bet9ja.com
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix 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.
bet9ja.com
He thinks that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with possible problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms 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 details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much beneficial details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting wagering market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
bet9ja.com
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
bet9ja.com
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
The BBC is not responsible for the material of external websites.
