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Sport sports betting market wants to safeguard itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big business.
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Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been few 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 business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said 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 accusations, but was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies since individuals will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is because the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to tackle potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
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"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
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"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 said that once a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate gamers are not enabled to wager on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "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 have to get over to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has 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 regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will inform sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related web 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 Looks To Protect Itself
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