Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself

Sport wagering industry seeks to safeguard itself

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16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial organization.

Sport England estimates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is likely to have actually grown even more, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt estimates the total global sports betting market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of events are hit the gambling market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if consumers 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 gambling market now.

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

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have actually said they will likewise 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 allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful method to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's biggest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering firms because people will spend money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to take care 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, the focus has to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only people who can fix 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 gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the method to tackle possible issues around gamers is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states rules need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.

"Through informing gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everybody's interest," he adds.

"If gamers are harder to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulative legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be caught'."

"It is crucial that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then individuals do not desire to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He stated that once a great credibility was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules mean players are not allowed to bank on a competitors in which they are included.

Mr Johnson says gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he states could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitors.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

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

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

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

"The frustrating bulk of sports betting occurring through UK operators is legal and fair," he states.

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

"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

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The commission has established an in-house Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting companies and policing authorities.

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

"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to help prevent or curtail [unlawful] activity"

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

'Vulnerabilities'

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

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight continuous investigations, which much beneficial details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

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

Meanwhile, he says numerous of those aiming to cheat the sports betting market were knowledgeable about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about sports betting operations and the movement of money.

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