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Sport sports betting industry looks to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
on sport is huge organization.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under risk if clients can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss 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 papers."
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 gamers have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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, but was prohibited recently for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 viewed as truthful, straight and fair that benefits betting companies since people will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need 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 has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to deal with potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor states rules require to be described clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability and that remains in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines indicate players are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says 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 Second 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 need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard 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 manage business betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk 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 undermine 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 in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and distribute details to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will inform sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [prohibited] 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 period there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful details has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those looking to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help 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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