Sport wagering market seeks to secure itself
16 September 2010
bit.ly
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is huge 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 most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt approximates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports betting gambling.
But when the integrity of occasions are hit the gaming industry suffers, and earnings are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with 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 organization, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations 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 claims, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the prohibited technique to him to toss frames.
There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related 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 truthful, straight and reasonable that is good for wagering companies since people will invest money sports betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK regulated sports betting market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that 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 specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportspersons and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not adequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to tackle potential concerns around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.
"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you reinforce stability and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is crucial that sport is straight, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals don't desire to wager, that is not in gaming firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean gamers are not to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have to be seen not to be capitalizing 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 wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" technique, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the outcome of a sporting event.
"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise harms the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has actually established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and distribute information to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help avoid or reduce [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing examinations, and that much useful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an examination by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense efficient, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were educated about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the movement of money.
"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
bit.ly
BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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