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Sport sports betting market seeks to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial company.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gambling 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general worldwide sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if clients can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt’s Gareth Moore observes: “Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.

“Not only is it a significant market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers.”

Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing allegations relating 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 versus 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, however was banned last week for six months for failing to report the unlawful approach 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 greatest online sporting exchanges.

“If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms because individuals will spend cash sports betting with self-confidence,” he says.

“If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK controlled sports betting market … it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

“That is since the perception is that ‘cricket is now something we might need to take care 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 points out: “The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee.”

His organisation represents guys and ladies 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

“Through educating players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone’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 at the Football Association, agrees.

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

“It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly,” he adds.

“If it loses that then individuals don’t wish to bet, 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 “enormous”.

FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers have actually to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could trigger “brand damage” to football and its competitors.

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 last the following spring.

“We have to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game,” he states. “Once self-confidence has 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 regulation 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 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 majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and fair,” he states.

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

“Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering.”

The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

“Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting,” he says.

“We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or cut [unlawful] activity”

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

‘Vulnerabilities’

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous examinations, and that much useful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination “in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead”.

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those seeking to cheat the sports betting wagering industry were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.

“They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business.”

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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