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Sport sports betting market looks to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
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Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big company.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
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Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the general worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under threat if consumers can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not only 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 authorities over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is great for wagering firms because individuals will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the rivals 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 adequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with prospective problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to bet, that is not in gambling 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 "incalculable".
FA rules indicate players are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states could trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult 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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
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"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential 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 prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much useful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
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Meanwhile, he states a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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