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Sport wagering market wants to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial company.
Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related sports betting 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 estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt estimates the overall worldwide gambling market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gaming.
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But when the stability of events are struck the gambling industry suffers, and are put under risk if consumers can not bet 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 speak about the sports betting market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these gamers have actually stated they will also 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 allegations, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to throw frames.
There are likewise two 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 sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms due to the fact that people will spend money sports betting with confidence," he says.
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"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful 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 gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents males 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 merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle potential issues around players is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says rules need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting you enhance integrity and that remains in everyone's interest," he includes.
"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, concurs.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we also make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
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"If it loses that then people do not want to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules indicate gamers are not enabled to wager on a competition in which they are included.
Mr Johnson says players have to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second 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 need to get over to players the reputational danger to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
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'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, 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 regulate business gambling in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands cops, Mr Tofiluk has duty for policing all wagering in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating bulk of sports betting wagering happening 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 prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he states.
"We will signal sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a private telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing examinations, and that much beneficial details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would think about ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says a number of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were well-informed about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
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"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to help 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 Looks To Protect Itself
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