Sport sports betting industry seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the general global gambling market will 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk if customers can not bet with confidence.
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And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting market now.
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"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will likewise 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies because people will invest cash wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may have to be mindful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential concerns around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
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"Through educating players about sports betting wagering you strengthen stability and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines imply players are not permitted to bet on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to players the reputational threat to the game," he states. "Once confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then perhaps 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 commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period 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 investigations, which much beneficial info has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting people, and about betting operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their business."
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Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
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ICC
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Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
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The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
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