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Sport wagering market looks to secure itself
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16 September 2010
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By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England approximates the value 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 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 approximates the overall global gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are hit the gambling industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat 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 speak about 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 cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will likewise 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, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not associated 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 excellent for sports betting firms due to the fact that people will invest money wagering with self-confidence," he states.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unassociated to the UK controlled sports betting industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
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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 points out: "The only individuals who can repair 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 thinks that it is insufficient to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the method to take on prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing players about sports betting you reinforce integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he adds.
"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 likewise make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then people do not desire to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate players are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has duty 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 occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of and sports betting wagering."
The commission has developed an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share info to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a substantial insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial 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 effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a lot 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 movement 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 Seeks To Protect Itself
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