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Sport wagering industry looks to secure itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
Betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the worth 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 likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summertime.
Meanwhile, German research firm Sport & Markt estimates the overall global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the stability of events are struck the betting industry suffers, and revenues are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a considerable market in world company, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by cops over spot-fixing claims associating with a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, however was prohibited last week for six months for stopping working to report the illegal approach to him to throw frames.
There are also two other continuing examinations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that is excellent for sports betting companies since individuals will invest money sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not truly a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might have to take care about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to experts 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 people who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."
His organisation represents guys 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 inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, however that the way to deal with potential problems around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be explained clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they respect.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you strengthen integrity which 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 recommendations at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of informing gamers 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.
"If it loses that then people do not wish to wager, that is not in gambling companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He said that as soon as an excellent reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to bank on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitors.
So, even a Second 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 threat to the video game," he says. "Once self-confidence has actually been damaged it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" method, 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 regulate commercial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility 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 taking location 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 cheating has the prospective to weaken the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and share details 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 avoid or curtail [illegal] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing examinations, which much useful info 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 examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a lot of those wanting to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the of these to assist in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
bet9ja.com
BLP
Gambling Commission
bet9ja.com
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Sport Betting Industry Looks To Protect Itself
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