Sport sports betting industry aims to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson
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Business press reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is big company.

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 most likely to have grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.

Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the total international sports betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.
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But when the stability of occasions are hit the gambling market suffers, and revenues are put under hazard if customers can not bet 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 discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations relating to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed 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 banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the unlawful technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'
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David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as truthful, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms because people will spend money wagering with self-confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated 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 may have to be mindful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to professionals 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 mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."

His organisation represents men 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 simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the way to tackle possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules require to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through informing players about sports betting you enhance integrity and that is 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 recommendations at the Football Association, .

"Prevention is much better than remedy, 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 don't want to bet, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that when an excellent credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply gamers are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
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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.
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"We need to overcome to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he states. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" technique, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage business gaming in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The frustrating majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly disrupt the outcome of a sporting occasion.

"Such cheating has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, wagering firms and policing authorities.

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

"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.
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'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still 8 ongoing examinations, which much useful information has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says a lot of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the motion of cash.

"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."

Related internet links

World sports betting Law Report
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ICC

Professional Players Federation

Professional Footballers' Association

The FA

Betfair

Sport & Markt

BLP

Gambling Commission

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