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Sport wagering industry aims to secure itself
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16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
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Sport England estimates the worth of on sport-related gaming 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 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 internet and sports betting gaming.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming market suffers, and profits are put under hazard if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of newspapers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by authorities over spot-fixing accusations relating to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually stated 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 champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing accusations, but was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method 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, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that is excellent for wagering firms due to the fact that individuals will spend cash betting with confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not really a favorable story for wagering in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to be careful about'."
'Education'
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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 sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals 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 prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor says guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity and that is in everybody's interest," he includes.
"If players are harder to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, agrees.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be captured'."
"It is necessary that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then people don't desire to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that once a great reputation was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA guidelines mean players are not permitted to wager on a competition in which they are involved.
Mr Johnson states players need to be seen not to be capitalizing any inside understanding, which he says 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.
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"We need to get over to gamers the reputational risk to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."
'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 set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to control business gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, 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 taking place 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 potential to undermine the integrity of a sport, and it likewise damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to get and disseminate info to sporting authorities, betting companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.
"We will notify sports betting of our concerns, to assist prevent or curtail [prohibited] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also 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 cheating in relation to greyhound racing.
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However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still eight ongoing investigations, which much beneficial information has also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He said that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider ceasing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting market were educated about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related web links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
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BLP
Gambling Commission
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Sport Betting Industry Seeks To Protect Itself
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