Sport sports betting industry looks to safeguard itself
bet9ja.com
16 September 2010
bet9ja.com
By Bill Wilson
bit.ly
Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England estimates the worth 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 actually grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the total worldwide gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and .

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not wager with self-confidence.

And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting 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 service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord’s last month.

Three of these gamers have said 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 accusations, but was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two 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 truthful, straight and fair that benefits sports betting companies because individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market … it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

“That is because the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we may have to take care 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 explains: “The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee.”

His organisation represents guys and women in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers’ Association.

He thinks that it is not sufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on prospective concerns around gamers is also through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.

“Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce integrity and that remains in everybody’s interest,” he includes.

“If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt.”

‘Brand damage’

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

“Prevention is much better than treatment, and we also make a point of informing players ‘you are going to be captured’.”

“It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight,” he includes.

“If it loses that then people don’t wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies’ interests, and it is not in our interests.”

He stated that once a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was “incalculable”.

FA guidelines suggest players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause “brand damage” to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd 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 have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the game,” he says. “Once self-confidence has been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks.”

‘Overwhelmingly legal’

If this represents the “carrot” method, 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 control commercial gaming in Great Britain.

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

“The frustrating bulk of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair,” he says.

“But for some there is the temptation to … corruptly hinder the outcome of a sporting occasion.

“Such unfaithful has the prospective to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting.”

The commission has actually developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering,” he states.

“We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial info has actually likewise 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 consider stopping a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says much of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

“They look for 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
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BLP

Gambling Commission
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