Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself

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Sport sports betting market aims to protect itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial service.

Sport England approximates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

And that figure is most likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the overall global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the integrity of occasions are hit the sports betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if consumers can not wager with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering 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.

"Not only is it a substantial market in world organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing allegations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus 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, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.

There are likewise 2 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 viewed as sincere, straight and fair that is excellent for sports betting firms since people will spend money wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK regulated wagering industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be cautious 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 sportspersons and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to deal with prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity which 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 regulative legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is better than cure, 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 individuals don't wish to wager, that is not in gambling firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competition in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd 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 video game," he says. "Once confidence has actually 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 guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gambling in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation 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 fair," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has actually established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.

"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year period there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 continuous examinations, and that much beneficial information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would think about stopping a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says a number of those looking to cheat the sports betting wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."