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Sport wagering market aims to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial business.
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Sport England estimates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the total international gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the sports betting market suffers, and incomes are put under threat if consumers 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 just is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually 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 said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 allegations, but was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated 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 perceived as honest, straight and fair that is great for betting firms due to the fact that people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be cautious about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to experts at a World sports betting Law into sports betting gambling, the focus has to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only individuals 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 player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the method to deal with prospective issues around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to bet, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a good credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules suggest players are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
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If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe 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 sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms 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 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 inform sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with details 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 warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much helpful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider stopping a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of cash.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."
Related internet 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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