Sport betting industry aims to protect itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the value of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
Which figure is likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
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 web and sports betting gaming.
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But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and profits are put under threat if customers can not wager with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of 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 just is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing claims relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed 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 accusations, but was prohibited recently for six months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since individuals will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is because the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we may need to be mindful 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 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 thinks that it is insufficient to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle possible problems around players is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be described plainly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through educating players about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everybody's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is imperative that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a good reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually 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 policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial sports betting 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 betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
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"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting ."
The commission has developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute info to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
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"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will signal sports betting of our issues, to assist avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much beneficial info has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would consider discontinuing 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 wagering market were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web 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 Wants To Protect Itself
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