Sport wagering industry aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial business.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general international gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under risk if clients can not bet with self-confidence.
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 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 been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations 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 banned recently for six months for stopping working to report the illegal technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not associated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and fair that is great for sports betting companies due to the fact that individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
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"That is since the understanding 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 professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors 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 insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to take on prospective issues around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be explained plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not want to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines suggest gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
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Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says could trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
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 need to overcome to players the reputational risk to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of regulation at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial sports betting in Great Britain.
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An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate details to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or cut [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a personal telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
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But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous investigations, and that much beneficial information 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 effective, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says numerous of those wanting to cheat the sports betting market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related internet 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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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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