Sport sports betting industry wants to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big service.
Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of occasions are struck the sports betting industry 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 wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone talks about the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers 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 champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
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'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 sports betting firms because individuals will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering market ... it is not truly a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have 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 gambling, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can repair 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 insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to take on potential concerns around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
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Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he includes.
"If it loses that then people don't wish to wager, that is not in betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules suggest gamers are not enabled to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd 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 have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 control industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it also harms the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will notify sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a personal telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, and that much helpful information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "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 well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion 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
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself
piperhoughton1 edited this page 2025-01-08 05:15:00 +00:00